Misbah-ul-Haq: Pakistan missed the services of Saeed Ajmal

After losing a nail-biting first ODI against Pakistan, hosts, Sri Lanka came back strongly to win the second game by a convincing margin of 77 runs. On his part, Misbah-ul-Haq believes that Pakistan were in a good position in the second game, but the bowlers lost the plot what with Thisara Perera smashing their bowlers during the end overs.

Misbah said, "Till 40 overs everything was in control. In the last 10 overs with six wickets down, we gave away too many runs. They played really well too, they played calculated cricket. We did not get many wickets in the last 10 overs which was damaging."

Pakistan made a bright start what with both Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez playing quick-fire knocks. However, they lost wickets at regular intervals and that didn't help their cause.

Misbah said, "We were right on track when we were chasing. We just kept on losing wickets. In the last 15 overs even 120 was very much achievable, but the key is when your set batsmen are there, if one of them goes on till the end, whether you are setting a target or chasing but we lost too many wickets in the Powerplay.

"With four fielders outside the circle we have noticed that eight runs an over is not difficult if you have got wickets in hand. That is what we were trying to do. Even in the last 15 overs, if you require eight an over with five overs of Powerplay, that is very much achievable. But at the same time if you lose wickets, it becomes really difficult."

Misbah also believes that they missed the services of off-spinner, Saeed Ajmal. He said, "Shahid [Afridi] and Hafeez bowled well. He [Afridi] did not get wickets but he came in and performed his role and restricted runs.

"It really makes a difference especially [with] the kind of pitch this was. Ajmal always makes a difference in the Powerplays, in the last overs. It was really difficult the way it was turning today."