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Madushanka and Kamindu Mendis lead the way in Pakistan rout. Sri Lanka storm into tri-series final but victory in the final will confirm form turnaround. BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor)
The old adage about confidence being the breeding ground for success could not have been more exemplified than Sri Lanka’s eight-wicket rout of Pakistan in Lahore which catapulted them into the tri-series final.
This venue has bitter sweet memories from a Sri Lankan perspective, more sweet than bitter going down memory lane.
History will recall contrasting scenarios where Sri Lanka lifted the World Cup in 1996 under Arjuna Ranatunge againstAustralia.
It also remembers one of the darkest days in cricket history when on March 3rd 2009, armed terrorists attacked Sri Lanka’s team bus injuring six players and a team official at the same venue but they got away to relative safety thanks to the heroic bus driver and security guards, six who lost their lives protecting them.
This time though it was a scene quite different as Sri Lanka’s bowlers targeted and destroyed a unusually uncompetitive Pakistan batting line-up that were overrun without a whimper.
Asked to bat first, Pakistan were rattled by Sri Lanka’s pace and spin attack that decimated a strong batting line-up for 110 in 25.3 overs.
Left- arm medium pacer Dilshan Madushanka led the charge with a devastating return of 5 for 34, and with the help of Eshan Malinga, Sahan Arachchige and Asitha Fernando bowled perfect lines much to the delight of the bowling coaches after they were mauled in their last outing against England.
Pakistan were a contrast from the team that battled against England and clawed their way back from a hopeless situation to victory on the back of a record breaking partnership by the tail led by centurion Shadab Khan.
There were no heroics this time as Sri Lanka kept them on a tight leash backing the bowlers with some superb work in the field.
Madushanka and Malinga with Sahan Arachchige ripped through Pakistan’s top order and when the score was a mere 6 for 64 in 13.4 overs, there was no hope of a realistic recovery.
Sri Lanka’s task made easy, was then exploited by Kamindu Mendis and who raced to the target in only 18.1 overs for a comfortable eight wicket win that certainly left unanswered questions about the condition of the wicket.
Madushanka deservedly took the Player-of-the-match award for his superb return.
Now Sri Lanka have to prove this was not flash-in-the-pan by making this another memory to cherish by beating Pakistan in the final. To do this they have to keep their tails up and beat England in the inconsequential next game.
Either way the final should be the focus to script the perfect ending for a team surely looking like they have turned the corner and are in good shape for the upcoming World Cup.
Relief at long last for their long suffering fans are not far off judging by the framework change behind the scenes.
Sri Lanka’s reinvention after that record breaking chase against England certainly raised the expectation of what could be achieved with the right mindset.
Team focus, and not individual focus, makes the chemistry righted at long last as the work of the government inspired restructure of the administration and the recommendation of critical areas for improvement shows signs of a growing improvement in the desired direction.
The ICC punished Sri Lanka’s government intervention while being unconcerned about the damage done to the country’s image and their standing caused by corruption and mismanagement.
The heavy financial price is justified looking at the subtle shift in thought process and a new way of representing the country with pride and privilege of pulling on the national cap.
Coach Gary Kirstan appears to be quickly getting through about the mental mindset required while imparting his personal experience as an established player during his time as an exceptional opener for South Africa.
The timing for Sri Lanka’s progress could not have been better after a decade of struggle to reach the lofty standards of the past which then, was consistent.
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eLanka team
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