By Brian Thomas
Before I dive into my report , did Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka suffer from a brain break by giving a hapless Wellalage to bowl the last over , that too against Mohd Nabi Honestly brains of a moron to put it blankly.
His move is 22 years old. Wellalage suffered from a shell shock that might remain to infinity. 32 runs in the final over , Sri Lanka conceeding 49 runs in the last 2 overs , mind wobble.
Sri Lanka did well to reach the target with 8 balls to spare , but after restricting Bangladesh to 76 for 7 , wickets , but letting them set a target of 170 proves that captain Asalanka needs skipper training and awareness.
Credit to Mohd Nabi 60 runs in 20 balls , with 6 sixes and 4 boundaries was fascinating to watch.
Wellalage dropped Nabi on 5, and Nabi returned the favour by cartering him for 32 in the final over. Frankly, this almost is the end of Wellalage playing the shortest version of the game. Selectors I doubt will pick him up to be in a playing eleven in the near future.
Thanks to Nuwan Thushara and Wanindu Hasaranga, Sri Lanka had the Afghan batters in check.
Chameera awful day in the park leaked 50 runs , Wellalage better forgotten than remembered 49 runs in 4 overs , including a no ball , appaling to state the least.
Thanks to Kusal Mendis and Kamindu Mendis Sri Lanka, pulled off a sensational win , Kusal stroke filled 74 in 52 balls and Kamindu 26 in 13 balls , helped Sri Lanka to remain unbeaten and face the super 4 next round.
Big question who will be our 4th specialist bowler ?
Pathirana looks a no-go , more wides than straight deliveries, Theekshana always Wicketless, more of a pad bowler in recent times , Wellalage is better kept in the bench than the park , period.
Sri Lanka must look at this issue seriously if they are to stay alive not only in the ongoing Asian Cup but, more importantly, the world cup
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