By Brian Thomas
Pakistan outplayed Sri Lanka in their own den yesterday at Dambulla Stadium, winning the lung opener by 6 wickets and stating the obvious, that they are the bosses over Sri Lanka in the T 20 format
Sri Lanka dropped Kusal Janith Perera, replaced him with Dhananjay de Silva , Charith Asalanka’ was back in the fold, whilst surprisingly, Nuwan Thushara got the nod ahead of Eshan Malinga, a price that Sri Lanka paid for their selection folly.
The wicket was bowler friendly, hence, Sri Lanka were out into bat by an excellent Pakistani bowling attack on a surface that had moisture due to excessive rain overnight, and the pitch being covered for 3 days on the trot.
Sri Lankan batting was far below par not only against the Pakistani seam attack, but also against their quality spin attack
The home team struggled, with opener Kamil Misra out for a golden duck in the 3rd over l followed by Pathum Nissanka out for 12 whilst the top order consisting of Kusal Mendis, LBW for 12 , Dhananjay de Silva out for 10, Sri Lanka conceding 2 wickets in the same over to Shadab Khan who had the home batters on the back foot by the 10th over with the score on 69 for 4 wickets
Asalanka’ gave some hope when he made 18, but departed when he nicked Abhar Ahmad’s googly to wicket keeper Usman and Sri Lanka slumped to 72 for 5 wickets.
Janith Liyanage and Wanindu Hasaranga batted with some intent, the former looked the only composed batter he made 40 in 31 deliveries, Wanindu unfortunately threw it away batting on 12, hence, an envisaged score of 150 plus ended with Sri Lanka bowled out for 128 in 19.2 overs
Sri Lanka lost 4 wickets for 2 runs against the quality spin and seam of Pakistan from 126 for 6 wickets to be bowed out for 128.
How can you win games with this batting mind set?
Sri Lankan batters are vulnerable against spin, the virus seems an eternity, this is a surprise for a nation that has produced world class spinners.
Pakistan in pursuit of 129 had no problems, their openers Shadab Farhan and Sahim Ayub seem to be battling on a different surface, with Nuwan Thushara aiding them with deliveries aiming at the openers pads which helped the visitors race to 59 runs for 1 wicket in the power play overs giving an early indications that the game will end soon and be a one sided competition.
Pakistan got to the target in 16.4 overs Shadab Farhan 51 in 31 deliveries, was in prime form
Sri Lankan bowling can not be judged negatively because defending a mediocre total is vulnerable based on the fact the bowlers try to buy wickets
Definitely Pakistan looked the better team, the next game is tomorrow, for Sri Lanka it is a win or depart from the series scenario.
Sri Lanka 128 all out in 19.2 overs
Janith Liyanage 41 , Charity Asalanka’ 18.
Wasim Junior 2 for 7
Abhar Ahmad 3 for 25
Faleel Misra 3 for 18
Pakistan 129 for 4 in 16. 4
Shadab Farhan 51
Shiam Ayub 24
Hasaranga 1 for 17
Theekshana 1 for 31
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