By Brian Thomas
Sri Lankaa still think that 4 specialist bowlers with 7 batters is the best way forward in the white ball format. Sadly none of the top order batters know the importance of batting for long periods of time. Charith Asalanka is the worst example, batting at 5, in recent times he has been throwing his wicket, exposing his limited knowledge of match awareness. Sadly the top order batters leave it to the next man to complete the job. This culture must change period.
Pakistan were invited to bat citing the dew factor, but can Asalanka justify his decision, because he himself threw his wicket before the dew fell at Rawalpindi.
The Pakistan umpire showed signs of being biased by disallowing a plum Lbw dismissal of top scorer Salman Ali Agar the man of the match for his 104 in 87 deliveries, he was out before he opened his account with Pakistan on 95 for 4 wickets at one stage.
Sri Lanka must blame themselves ,they burned up their 2 review opportunities by stupid referrals to the 3rd umpire for LBW decisions.
Even a school boy captain would not have sent both calls to the third umpire because the ball clearly pitched outside the leg stump on both calls.
Sadly Charih Asalanka’ s leadership mush come under scrutiny. He is not batting well, appalling team selection, lack of match awareness, surely why can’t the selectors let him concentrate on his batting, and appoint another captain. Captaincy is taking its toll on him , he is making a mess of his personal performance.
Sri Lanka had the home team on the back foot in the 24th over on 95 for 4 wickets. Salman Ali Agar walks in at the fall of Barbar Hassan’s wicket, he was plum in front of a Hasaranga wrong un ,and the Pakistani umpire rules him not out , absolutely a biased decision.
Sadly for Sri Lanka a 5th wicket partnership of 128 runs was built between Salman Ali Agar who made 107 in 87 deliveries, with 6 boundaries and 1 six , Hussain Talal cashed in kept Ali Agar company,made hay when the sun shone striking 63 off 61 deliveries as Sri Lankan bowling unit lacked penetrations without a 5th specialist bowler.
Pakistan made 112 runs in the last 10 overs , to give Sri Lanka a challenging target of 300 runs.
Dusmantha Chameera got thumped for 18 runs in his penultimate over ,whilst Theekshana was thumped for 64 runs , whilst part time bowlers Janith Liyanage and Charity Liyanage leaked , 66 runs.
Wanindu Hasaranga bowled well in his first spell and took 3 wickets but was expensive in his second spell to end on 3 for 52. In hindsight the LBW denial by the Pakistani umpire off his bowling against century maker Ali Agar might have had a toll on his bowling, this is only a speculation.
The pick of the Sri in Lankan seam attack was Asitha Fernando. He was exceptional, took 1 for 42 , and was very highly praised by the legend himself on commentary Wauqur Younis.
Sri Lanka as usual start well , but end badly due careless shot selection by the set batters.
Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Misra got off to an excellent start stitched 85 runs for the first wicket. Pathum Nissanka looked out of form , luckily Salman Ali Agar dropped him at first slip when he was batting on 9. he scored 29 , Kamil Misra was Harris Rauf’s first victim done by pace for 38 , Kusal Mendis did not disturb the scorers bowled for a duck , in the very first ball he faced , off Harris Rauf , followed by Pathum Nissanka,. Sri Lanka from 85 for no loss , were 90 for 3. Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charity Asalanka’ built a 57 run partnership, for the 4th wicket with Sri Lanka on 147 for 3 wickets,and looking good.
Babar Hassan at slips took a blinder , off the willow of Samarawickrama to the bowling of Harris Rauf, and he was back in the hutch for 39. His dismissal was turning point number 1.
Charith Asalanka’ and his , heroics coming down the track to a Nawas left arm orthodox delivery and throwing his wicket saw Sri Lanka slump to their first sign of defeat in the proceedings of the game.
Liyanage looked impressive whilst he lasted at the wickets, made 29 , his feat went nowhere whilst facing a Nadeem Shah inswing and was bowled.
Wanindu Hasaranga made a vallient effort stroking 59 , he lacked support, because the dew was now playing a major role , but Sri Lanka top order batters were warming their seats at the hutch , whilst tail Enders Dusmantha Chameera and Theekshana just could not cope with the pressure out in the middle.
Pakistan win by 6 runs , it was encouraging to see Sri Lanka bat the 50 overs , discouraging to note the lack of match awareness by the top order batters especially Charith Asalanka’, last but not the least the Pakistani umpire and his bias outlook.
Be the first to comment