Zimbabwe thump Sri Lanka by 67 runs , as the island team falls from grace.
By Brian Thomas
The Latin motto says Discae or Duscade , learn or depart , that is what Sri Lankan Cricket fans are conveying to their top order batters led by Pathum Nissanka, with the inclusion of Bhanuka Rajapaksa who needs extra time not only in the nets but also on field training to run between wickets and not emulate Sir Geoffrey Boycott in running players out.
Sorry but he should give way to youngsters. 11 runs in 18 balls ? Pathum Nissanka shows frustration whilst playing dot balls , he must realise that bowlers don’t give him deliveries to get his eye in.
Kusal Janith Perera is playing purely on past laurels, whilst Kamindu Mendis is tagged as a white ball specialist, who can not read the length, and this was proved even when he played in the 50 over version against Pakistan . My humble question to the selectors on tour , have you selected to Janith Liyanage to warm the chair in the dressing room ? He is a much better bet than Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Kamindu Mendis put together period.
Sri Lanka not only the home for ever failing top order , batters but also a never ending fail to infinity lower order. All stroke less wonders with no intent to score runs because the selections are based on past laurels.
Arjuna Ranatunga , the World cup winning captain now side lined and a long fogtten hero was successful because he believed in a theory , if as a batter you are dismissed off an excellent or unplayable delivery is acceptable, but if you as a batter don’t value your wicket , please step down , I rather play with a second string team with intent than past laurel performers who take their selection for granted.
Zimbabwe were the better team. Put into bat they made 161 for 8 wickets in 20 overs. It all honesty on the Rawalpindi surface it was not a par score , however a match winning score against a batting unit like Sri Lanka.
Brian Bennett 49 off 42 deliveries, and Skipper Sikandar Rasa 47 off 32 deliveries proved the batting surface of Rawalpindi posed no threats.
The partnership of both Brian and Sikandar for the 3rd wicket of 61runs was breath taking.
Sri Lanka were lucky to dismiss Sikandar Raza, mainly due individual brilliance of Dasun Shanaka who took a blinder , otherwise Zimbabwe would have scored 180 plus runs.
Eshan Malnga was impressive with 2 for 27 , whilst Wanindu Hasaranga was obviously the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 22.
Zimbabwe lost regular wickets after both Brian Bennett and Sikandar Raza lost their wickets , that’s the only plus point in Sri Lanka”s effort yesterday.
162 as a target on this pitch would have been a cake walk for a well knit batting unit , but for Sri Lanka with her limited option it was herculean.
Pathum Nissanka started the rot dismissed for a golden duck , because he looked amature against the swing and bounce of Richard Ngarava. Kusal Mendis, sadly victim of circumstances, because of Bhanuka Rajapaksa who is now aging , he forced a run out of Kusal Mendis trying to steal an impossible single that even the great Johnny Rhodes would not have risked.
The rest of the batters except Dasun Shanaka who made 34 in 22 deliveries are tagged as also played , and were only numbers in the playing eleven.
Sri Lanka to be bowled out for 95 , proves that Sri Lanka will never be a threat in the forth coming world cup , in fact they are lucky to be playing the World cup , it is an automatic selection to compete in the multi nations event not by merit but being the host nation alongside India who nominated Sri Lanka over looking Bangladesh and Pakistan due political reasons.
Zimbabwe were fantastic with the ball , Richard Ngarava unplayable 2 for 15 , Brad Evans with his accuracy 3 for 9 , Sikandar Raza 1 for 25 , Graham Creamer 1 for 17 and Tino Mopasa 1 for 17 , were simply out standing.
Finally Sri Lanka must play Janith Liyanage in place of Bhanuka Rajapaksa, and Kamindu Mendis must be put on notice learn or depart. Period
Main scores
Zimbabwe 161 for 8 wickets in 20 overs.
Brian Bennett 49
Sikandar Raza 47
Wanindu Hasaranga 3 for 22
Eshan Malnga 2 for 27.
Sri Lanka 95 all out
Dasun Shanaka 34
Brad Evans 3 for 9
Richard Ngarava 2 for 15
Zimbabwe win by 62 runs.
Player of the match Sikandar Raza.
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