Follow UsPakistan suffered a massive drubbing at the hands of India in Colombo on Monday (September 11), and head coach Grant Bradburn believes this was a timely reminder for his side to turn things around quickly.
With rain playing spoilsport on Sunday (September 10), the game trickled into the reserve day. India put on a massive 356 for 2 thanks to unbeaten tons by Virat Kohli (122*) and the returning KL Rahul (111*).
Bradburn thanks India for this 'gift.' “My gut feeling is that we are grateful for the gift that has been this last two days,” Bradburn told reporters after the game.
“We don’t get to play some of the best players in the world very often. We haven’t lost a game of cricket for the last three months, so it’s a timely reminder that we need to turn up every day, put in our best on the park, and it’s actually a gift in the last two days we haven’t done that.”
Bradburn admits that India outplayed his side in all facets of the game after Babar Azam won the toss and elected to bowl. “We lost at all facets of the game. No excuses, we weren’t good enough in the last two days," the former New Zealand cricketer added.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill put on an attacking batting display in this game after they were bundled out cheaply in the group stage game against Pakistan, which saw India put up a modest 266 before rain intervened.
Bradburn says they were not surprised one bit. “Certainly wasn’t a surprise. Everyone’s seen how lethal our bowling attack is, and good teams will counteract that,” he said.
However, Bradburn felt that the batting unit has not clicked, which is something they need to address going forward. “Our batting unit hasn’t clicked in the past month, and again, that is a positive sign. We have full trust in them. We are very consistent with our selection. We know they will come right," he said.
Pakistan resume their Asia Cup 2023 journey as they take on Sri Lanka next on Thursday (September 14). Pakistan have won one and lost one in the Super Fours so far.