If that is the type of optimistic spin that may solely come from a member of the teaching workers, that's as a result of, it's. Pakistan head coach Grant Bradburn described the match as a "gift", not just for giving Pakistan a sighter of the problem India pose, but additionally as a result of it introduced his personal group's frailties to the floor.

"We're very grateful for the gift that has been these last two days, because to come at this stage of the tournament - and to come before the World Cup - it's a wonderful opportunity first to play India," Bradburn mentioned. "We don't get to play some of the best players in the world very often. Also to play in conditions that may be similar in the World Cup.

"We have not misplaced a recreation for 3 months, and it is a well timed reminder for us to show up each day, put our greatest on the park. It's really a present that over the past two days we've not fairly completed that."

The batting has not quite been at its best - on Monday, they stumbled to 128 for 8 in pursuit of 357. But Bradburn had the most glowing terms for the batters too.

"Our batting unit hasn't fairly clicked but over the previous month, and we really feel that is a optimistic factor," he said. "We have full belief in them. We are very constant in our choice. We're very according to the way in which that we're creating contenders for every place. We've bought some fantastic bench gamers who're pushing onerous. We're believing robust within the gamers we belief. And we'll proceed to. We know that they may come proper."

Among the weaknesses this match exposed was Pakistan's fielding. They caught poorly, letting one clear-cut chance (Shubman Gill's edge between first and second slip), and one half-chance to third slip. Their ground fielding was also modest.

"We weren't happy with our fielding in Kandy both, towards India," Bradburn said. "It's one thing we have labored onerous on, and it's enhancing large time throughout the group. We have some excellent fielders. And we have been catching very effectively. We did not win the fielding battle."