Spin to win theory by Pakistan helped crush Sri Lanka by 6 wickets in one sided final

Spin to win theory by Pakistan helped crush Sri Lanka by 6 wickets in one sided fina

 

By Brian Thomas

 

The pitch had cracks , it had been used before , the Sri Lankan tour of Pakistan and the Tri series was played in one venue Rawalpindi.

 

You do not need a rocket scientist to tell you that the pitch on offer for the finals will grip and spin.

 

Pakistan know that Sri Lankan batters are struggling against spin. The battle against spin seems to live to infinity with Sri Lanka after Sangakkara, Jayawardena era , now question why has this not been identified by the coaching staff?

 

The theory of playing that winning combination is outdated. You play the team , that fits the surface especially when it comes to select seam against spin option.

 

Pakistan controlled the Sri Lankan onslaught of the power play display with the introduction of spin in the 7th over.

 

Credit to Kamil Mishara. He proved that foot work and intent does the job. The rot started with Pathum Nissanka not reading a length delivery bowled slower through the air by Shaheen Afraid after Pathum thumped him for a six in the previous delivery. The well disguised slower delivery had Pathum expose his weakness of premeditation of big hits during the power play overs.

 

Kamil Mishara and Kusal Mendis had no issues in playing the Pakistani seamers, they stitched a fantastic partnership of 64 runs for the 2nd wicket.

 

With the score on 84 for 1 wicket , Kusal Mendis had a rush of blood when he came down the pitch to a Abhar Ahmad googly only to be caught by the ever safe hands of Bhabar Azzam for 14.

 

Frankly it all fell apart after his departure. No senior partner to guide on young Misra , whilst the rest of the batters simply got sucked into the triple spin of Pakistan headed by Mohd Nawas, Abhar Ahmad , and Salim Ayub.

 

Sri Lanka lost 9 wickets for 30 runs ,

Of which 6 wickets to spin. This proves the battle of spin , that Sri Lanka has to address sooner rather than later to reach excellence.

 

Mishara 59 with 2 boundaries and 4 sixes with an excellent strike rate of 125.30.

 

Sad just two batters got into double figures. Kusal Mendis 14 , Pathum Nissanka 11 , the rest could have formed telephone numbers with their single digit numbers.

 

114 all out in 19.1 overs is not the ideal total for a final.

 

Pakistan had no problems in chasing down 115 as a target , because Sri Lanka lacked the services of the 3rd spinner. Why was Viyaskanth kept in the freezer instead of playing in the eleven.

 

Salim Ayub 34 , Barbar Azzam 37 not out , and Pakistan get home winning by 6 wickets.

 

 

 

 

 

By Brian Thomas