PSL 3: Sultans’ coach laments ‘we failed to adapt properly’

SHARJAH: When Multan Sultans made their HBL Pakistan Super League debut with a bang last month many though that this was the team that could go all the way.

With the seasoned Tom Moody and Wasim Akram at the helm and Shoaib Malik in the captaincy seat, Multan came across as a complete package. They had a potent bowling attack and a reliable batting line-up spearheaded by the experienced Kumar Sangakkara.

But after a few initial victories in PSL 3, Multan’s graph dipped to the extent that they are now facing elimination from the contest.

Multan played their last league game against Islamabad United and crashed to a 33-run defeat. Now they are hoping that Peshawar Zalmi will lose at least one of their last two games in order to qualify for the playoffs.

“Our destiny is not in our hands,” Moody told reporters after his team’s latest defeat.

“We had some early momentum but we have lost it now. I think the conditions of the wickets in the early part of the tournament suited our bowling attack. As the tournament has unfolded, the wickets have changed but we haven’t changed. It’s a simple case of we not adapting,” said the Australian coach.

Moody was unhappy with his team’s performance in the match against United.

“We were erratic. You have to give credit to some quality batting. We didn’t respond the way we should have.

“T20 cricket and tournament cricket like this is all about momentum.

“It’s great to be on the positive side of that momentum. Unfortunately, we are on the opposite side of that momentum. Whatever we are trying we are coming up second best.

“We needed to get off to a solid start. We also felt that if we had wickets in hand any total was possible to overcome. The total was 25-30 more than it should have been. Credit to Pollard but one man can’t do it.”

Moody hoped that his team will still make it to the next stage of the competition.

“God willing we will get another opportunity. We need to find a way. We will have some time to reflect.”