Reality check/scots lose T20 to Pakistan
Scotland cricket coach Grant Bradburn said there had been no problem in getting his players to refocus following the extraordinary victory over England and took plenty of positives from yesterday evening’s 48-run loss to Pakistan in Edinburgh in the first of two Twenty20 internationals, writes Duncan Smith. Returning to The Grange, scene of Sunday’s historic one-day international triumph, the world No 1 team in the shortest format of the game proved too strong and, after blasting their way to an imposing 204-4, restricted the Scots to 156-6 in reply.
“It wasn’t difficult at all,” said Bradburn when asked if it had been hard to get back in the zone following such an emotional day. “The boys have been on a high and rightly so.
“They’ve deserved all the accolades they’ve been receiving and it’s been absolutely phenomenal
the level of support and how much Sunday’s victory has touched everyone around the world. That’s been really good, so there was no issue getting up.”
Scotland made strong starts with both bat and ball, claiming early wickets after Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat, and then racing past 50 for no loss in the first five overs of their own innings but the longer both went on the more the tourists’ experience and class told.
Scotland get another crack at Pakistan today and Bradburn believes if the Scots bowlers can offer more variation and the batsmen play spin better they can get a lot closer andpossiblyeventhreaten another famous win.
“It’s brilliant to have the No 1 side in the world in our back yard,” he said. “We’re hugely grateful to Pakistan for coming to play in Edinburgh. For our guys to see first-hand the top T20 team in the world and experience the skills that entails was great.”