Sri Lanka flatter, then flop to crash out of Asia Cup final. Fiery India- Pakistan final likely unless Bangladesh upset happens. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor).
Sri Lanka flattered, then flopped to be bundled out of the Asia Cup final after shoring up hope to their fans before being unbeaten in a group stage super four shoot-out that failed to deliver.
Beaten by Bangladesh in game one, their task became herculean to make the final needing to beat Pakistan and the formidable Indians in their last two matches.
Pakistan put them out of their misery with a comfortable win that relegated the Lankans out of the equation, opening the final to a fierce confrontation between Asia’s biggest rivals against India.
The loss to Bangladesh definitely took the wind out of the sails of the confident Lankans who went into submission making the last game against India irrelevant unless the Indians succumb to a huge loss and Pakistan are badly beaten by Bangladesh.
Sri Lanka kept alive their hopes of winning their seventh Asia Cup but did nothing to guarantee that hope when they were upstaged by Bangladesh who they comfortably beat earlier, in a nail-biting Super fours clash by four wickets.
Bangladesh held their nerve to snatch victory with a ball to spare chasing a Sri Lankan target of 178.
Earlier, Sri Lanka topped their group remaining unbeaten against Bangladesh, Hong Kong China and Afghanistan while India in Group A did similarly suggesting a India- Sri Lanka final similar to the last tournament.
But the crafty Bangladeshis had other ideas, reversing the Group stage defeat to throw the final two wide open.
The Sri Lankan stumble has now become a trademark of their performances over the years and it now seems that what team turns up on the day will determine success from failure.
Immaterial of the outcome of this tournament, Sanath Jayasuriya and his coaching staff have much to do to address this disturbing trend with two World Cups coming up.
The current squad is the most talented Sri Lanka has had for a considerable period. But getting the right playing eleven together in a horses-for-courses outfit on the park against different opposition appears to be of concern right now and could be the catalyst to their inconsistency.
What they have displayed in the tournament so far is that they are capable of beating anyone on their day with a reasonable batting line-up and bowlers who can stifle some of the best batting line-ups in world cricket.
Getting to the wider picture, India have been dominant and appear on course to pull off their ninth success over their Asian rivals. This would put them two ahead of Sri Lanka who are the next most successful team in the Asian region.
The Indians have been composed and businesslike upto now and if the unforeseen doesn’t occur should cruise to another title.
Sri Lanka’s complete their commitments are against India in a round robin play-offs that will decide on the top two that does not have them in contention.
