Photo: Getty Images
A place in the final of the ongoing ICC World Twenty20 in home ground "means a great deal" for the cricket fans of the country, Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene today said after the hosts beat Pakistan in the first semi-final here.
"It (place in the final) means a great deal, thanks to the fans," he said after Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by 16 runs at the R Premeadasa Stadium.
In a brave move, Sri Lanka today brought in left-arm spinner Rengana Herath in place of off-spinner Akila Dananjaya and the skipper termed the decision as a tactical change. "It was a tough call keeping out birthday boy Dananjaya but we knew Pakistan were weak against left-arm spin," said Jayawardene, who was adjudged man-of-the-match for his 38-ball 42 and leadership qualities.
Opting to bat Sri Lanka made a modest 139 for four in their 20 overs and Jayawardene he felt they were a few runs short.
"We felt we were 15 short and 140 was a par score. We made mistakes in the field but it didn't cost us," he said. Pakistan skipper Mohammad Hafeez said a middle-order collapse put paid to their hopes of a win.
"Every person gave 100 per cent. Jamshed and Raza have been the positives for us in this tournament. We were much in the game but the middle-order collapsed," he said. "I thank the fans who came here to support us. We really wanted to do something for them," Hafeez added.
Headingley, Leeds ,5/24/2013, 15:30 (IST)
Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi ,5/21/2013, 20:00 (IST)
Chennai Super Kings beat Mumbai Indians by 48 runs
Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi ,5/22/2013, 20:00 (IST)
Rajasthan Royals beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by 4 wickets
Castle Avenue, Dublin ,5/23/2013, 15:15 (IST)
from
AP
CL Final: Bayern favourites, but Dortmund capable of an upset
Bayern Munich are trying to downplay being the favourites, while Borussia Dortmund are eager to play up their chances to pull off the upset.
from AP
Monaco GP: Sebastian Vettel under pressure
Sebastian Vettel needs to rediscover his speed in qualifying if he is to protect his overall Formula One lead at the Monaco Grand Prix.
from AP
Neymar in decision mode as Santos accept two offers
Brazilian club Santos accepted the offers made by Barcelona and Real Madrid for young striker Neymar, who will now decide where he wants to go.
from
IBNLive
IPL 6: Meiyappan was confronted with Vindoo
The Mumbai Police brought actor Vindoo Dara Singh face to face with BCCI chief N Srinivasan's son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan on Friday.
from
in.com
There is no spot fixing in Indian football: Amiri
Afghanistan international and Mumbai FC skipper Haroon Amiri told in.com that it was fortunate that Indian football had not been tainted in this manner so far.
from
PTI
Legalising betting would stop corruption: Bhutia
Calling the IPL spot-fixing scandal unfortunate, former India football captain Baichung Bhutia said betting should be legalised in the country to stop corruption in cricket.
from
PTI
India under-19 to play triangular series in Australia
India's under-19 cricket team will play a triangular series against Australia and New Zealand starting June 30 in Darwin.
