SRI LANKA PERISH UNDER THE WEIGHT OF EXPECTATION AS BANGLADESH TAKE T20 SERIES 2-1. UNCHARACTERISTIC BATTING DISPLAY SEALS THEIR FATE. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor).
Sri Lanka’s pursuit of winning the T20 series had a disconnect about the approach of reaching that objective in that, direction and control, not overacceleration, should have been in the plan.
If my summation sounds cryptic, it was the rapid-fire batting display against Bangladesh in the three-match series decider at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo that clearly suggested they were in a hurry to wrap up the series.
They reckoned without the opposition, who I explained in my preview, was looking for chinks to capatilise on. And Bangladesh sensing the reckless urgency of the home team, pounced to take the T20 series 2-1 and the last laugh in one of their more successful formats.
Charith Asalanka’s team will reflect on an opportunity lost due to lack of proper application rather than talent as Bangladesh ensured they return home with something to crow about.
Sri Lanka has already taken the Test series 1-0, then the One-dayers 2-1 and although jolted in the second T20 in Dambulla where they were comprehensively thrashed, appeared to be able to regain composure and get the job done to win this format too.
Irresponsible batting when they lost quick early wickets after winning the toss and choosing to bat, saw them crumble to a position of no return at 6 for 88 in the 11th over with the top and middle order batters warming the benches in the pavilion.
It was a point of no return as former skipper Dasun Shanaka, (35 not out off 25 balls), played a lone rearguard action to gain some salvage to the total. Things could have been worse.
Earlier Pathum Nissanka smashed his way to a characteristic 46 off 39 balls until he was dismissed at 6 for 88 while the carnage around him went on unabated.
But I would be failing in my deduction if I ignored or failed to recognise the fantastic efforts of Bangladesh paceman Mehidy Hassan whose incredible effort saw him rattle and dismantle Sri Lanka’s batters with sensational figures of 4 for 11 off 4 overs. In fact Hassan and fellow paceman Shoriful Islam removed Sri Lanka’s entire top order for very little as they struggled to put the brakes on.
Sri Lanka ended with a mere 132 for 7 in their 20 overs.
Sensing a kill, Bangladesh raced to the target in 16.3 overs led by a batting blitz by Tanzid Hassan who smashed Sri Lanka’s bowlers into submission. His 73 runs off 47 balls with 6 sixers and 1 four, was matched by skipper Litton Das, 32 off 26 abd Towhid Hridoy 27 off 25 who steered them to a breathtaking win.
While Bangladesh return home rejoicing their conquest, the home team can reflect on a better mindset and the need to stay focused when the stakes of winning at home are in high anticipation.
The weight of expectation can sometimes be the catalyst that can see the best perish.
We have seen some dramatic examples recently in other parts of the world, England’s dramatic win over India and Australia’s heroic effort over a shellshocked West Indies.
