Skipper Coetzer: We can bounce back
Kyle Coetzer is convinced Scotland can bounce back from their India mauling to end their T20 World Cup campaign on a high against Pakistan, writes WILLIAM DICK.
The Scots suffered an eightwicket thrashing in Dubai on Friday to make it four straight defeats in the Super 12 phase.
But, ahead of today’s concluding match in Sharjah, Coetzer said: “We’ve got to make sure we go in there with as much confidence as we possibly can do. We’ve got one last show, one last crack of the whip while we’re out there.
“We’re not going to play together again for a long period of time – probably not until next April. So we have to take every opportunity of every game that we get.
“And what better game and what better team to play against than Pakistan. They’re at the top of their game at the moment. It’s just an ultimate test to challenge yourself against them.”
In contrast to the Scots, Pakistan have come through the Super 12 with four straight victories, playing the most-dynamic cricket of any team in the competition.
But the Scotland skipper added: “We’ll go in there with as much enjoyment and freedom as we possibly can and try to make the most of the opportunity.
“We’ve some skills we haven’t yet shown in the Super 12s, so this is the last chance to show them. We’ve got plenty left in the tank in this group.”
The Scots, whose top order have struggled for big runs, may beef up their batting with the inclusion of Durham’s Michael Jones, an injury replacement for Josh Davey.
And there could also be a place for left-arm spinner Hamza Tahir, who hasn’t featured since the group phase in Oman.
Coetzer admitted: “The batting hasn’t fired since getting through the group but leading up to that they had been brilliant.
“You want to give opportunity to as many players as possible but, at the same time, we’re not in a position to be giving caps away when they’re full internationals.
“It’s a Catch-22. You want to give exposure to people and we believe in everyone in the squad. But there’s tough decisions every time you put a team on the field.”