Pathum Nissanka lifts Sri Lanka from form slump and breaks losing streak. Hopes alive for final against Pakistan.- BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor).
Pathum Nissanka saved Sri Lanka from a forgettable Pakistan tour and a five match losing streak with a refreshing return to form with the bat.
The nuggety Sri Lankan opener who has had a string of failures, by his lofty standards in recent games, broke the shackles with a blistering knock of 98 not out as Sri Lanka chased down Zimbabwe’s 146 for 5 wickets, in just 16.2 overs.
Sri Lanka’s dependence on fiesty run chases led by Nissanka, was timely, as they stared down a possible elimination from the tri-series losing the first two games to Zimbabwe and Pakistan.
Nissanka waded into Zimbabwe’s attack smashing them at will, after Maheesh Theekshana and Wannindu Hasarsnga bowled tidy lines and length to strangle Zimbabwe’s batters to give them a gettable under par target of 146 for five.
The win eased some of the pressure on underperforming Sri Lanka whose tour is in turmoil after regular skipper Charith Asalanka and paceman Asitha Fernando returned home on safety grounds after a suicide bomber blew himself up killing civilians in Lahore.
The bomb blast shook the Sri Lanka team and upto eight players are reported to have wanted to opt out but we given assurances from Pakistan’s cricket board and Sri Lanka’s management that all possible measures would be taken to ensure their safety.
Asalanka’s decision means that tour protocols were not met and could land him in strife after a review by Sri Lanka’s cricket administrators.
The resultant measures to steady the ship sees Dasun Shanaka thrust into the leaders role. He is definitely a debatable selection for his poor form and it showed itself when Zimbabwe thrashed Sri Lanka soon after.
Nissanka saved the team from more blushes, but they need to beat Pakistan in the next match if they are to advance to the final.
While winning takes pressure off the Sri Lankans, for now, there will be no respite going forward if bans are imposed on the players wanting out of the tour unless some consideration is given to those staying on, and only Asalanka and Fernando are dealt with for not following team protocols.
Politics and behind the scenes manipulation is widely believed to be rampant in Sri Lanka’s structure and has been the reason for their poor on field performance.
Sri Lanka’s win over Zimbabwe in the last game was fashioned by their bowlers led by off- spinner Maheesh Theekshana who grabbed two early wickets for 23 with the new ball, while Shanaka and Hasarsnga, 2 for 23 keeping a tight grip on containing Zimbabwe’s batters.
At 5 for 104 in 14 3 overs Zimbabwe looked like folding for much less until skipper Sikanda Raza 37 off 29 balls and Ryan Burl 37 off 26 balls, gave the total some respectability adding 42 off the last 33 balls.
Sri Lanka made short work of the chase as Nissanka 98 off 58 deliveries and Mishara raced to 59 before being parted, then Kusal Mendis 35 off 25 balls raced to the target without discomfort.
