July 01, 2008	Tuesday	Jamadi-us-Sani 26, 1429

KARACHI, June 30: While Pakistan team’s manager Talat Ali Malik has said Sri Lanka played exceptionally well against Pakistan in the Asia Cup Super Four stage match and deserved to win, chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed stated the performance of some players was not up to the mark and hinted at some changes for the match against India on Wednesday.

Pakistan suffered a 64-run defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka at the National Stadium on Sunday, dwindling Pakistan chances to qualify for the final.

Talking to Dawn, Talat said Kumar Sangakkara’s century laid a strong foundation for a big total and then their spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis did the rest, restricting Pakistan well behind the target.

“Though the total (302) was not unachievable but it was good for which Sangakkara played a major role. Then the Sri Lankan spinners bowled tidily which allowed the required run-rate to increase after every over,” Talat said.

Talat denied the impression that his team did not combine well and said actually it was the day of the Sri Lankans, who played exceptionally well.

“We did not lose to a weaker team as Sri lankans are the finalists of the last World Cup. But yes the match was crucial and more responsibility should be have been there,” he said, referring to Pakistan team’s weak display in the Sunday’s game.

To a question, he said it was the decision of the captain and vice-captain to opt whether to bowl or bat first after winning the toss, so did Shoaib on Sunday.

Shoaib surprised every one by electing to field first against Sri Lanka after winning the toss.

Sources said the PCB officials including Chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf were looking happy when Shoaib won the toss. However, when the skipper offered batting to the rivals, all were stunned.

Salahuddin, meanwhile, said some senior batsmen disappointed him with their poor performance, adding a couple of changes would be made for the game against India.

“The performance of the Sri Lankans was one of their best. (Whereas) I noticed some senior (Pakistan) players did not play according to the demand,” he stated.

Though he did not mention the names of the senior players there are speculations that slow batting by Malik and Mohammad Yousuf besides the reckless manner in which Shahid Afridi got out were the reasons behind the defeat.

It is likely that Afridi and left-arm medium-pacer Wahab Riaz would face the axe while regular opener Nasir Jamshed with paceman Abdul Rauf would be included.

“We have to meet on Tuesday to discuss the final selection and a couple of changes could be made,” Salahuddin said.