PANAJI
Much like their opposition, Pune Panthers peaked at the right time and the final had all the makings of a needling contest, but that was not to be. The franchise from the Oxford of the East had to settle for the runners-up honours at the maiden edition of the World Legends Pro T20 League in Verna on Wednesday.
Sri Lanka pace legend Chaminda Vaas (pictured left), who coached the Panthers in the inaugural edition in Goa, said that, despite falling at the final hurdle, he was not disappointed by the outcome.
“I think overall we played really good cricket throughout the tournament. We could not win the championship, but the boys played really well,” Vaas said.
Meanwhile, key member of the squad, opener Martin Guptill, felt that the Shikhar Dhawan-Manvinder Bisla opening stand for the opposition in the all-important game was decisive. “The pitch played well and I think we had enough (194) on the board. The way our bowling attack has gone through this tournament, we have been able to restrict teams. You have to give credit to the Dubai Royals team. They put on a fantastic opening partnership and outbatted us literally out of the game,” stated the former Kiwi opener.
Guptill, who finished with the Orange Cap with the most runs in the tournament, felt their inability to take consistent wickets to defend their total and the Dubai Royals opening batters’ great shot-making dearly cost them the match.
Speaking of helming a new franchise, Vaas played his role down. “This is not the first time I am coaching in franchise cricket. I have been part of a lot of franchise leagues around the world. But this is a Legends Trophy. Most of the guys have played enough cricket, they have so much experience, and spend most of their time in the gym. As a coach, it is very easy to work with them. They know exactly what to do. I just want to give them encouragement and some ideas,” he stated.
Guptill expressed delight to catch up with a lot of cricketers he played with and against over the years through the tournament. “To see the competitive side of the guys that come out and play. You know a very good standard of cricket. It was very good fun and to be proud of,” the New Zealander gushed.
