Sri Lanka scramble into tri-series final after titanic struggle.
Team divide, and Asalanka review outcome crucial to upcoming World Cup.
BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE.
(eLanka Sports Editor).
Sri Lanka limped into the tri-series final and will challenge themselves to repeat the unexpected 6- run triumph over Pakistan in a decisive game that could have spelt elimination.
Sri Lanka stole a march over Zimbabwe’s aspirations to knock out a top competitor thanks to the fiery bowling spell by Dushmantha Chameera who tore the Pakistani top order apart and contain them in their chase if what appeared a gettable target.
Batting first, Sri Lanka rode their luck after losing prolific opener Pathum Nissanka early.
They regrouped through newcomer Kamil Mishara who smashed his way to 76 off 48 deliveries, with 3 sixees and 6 fours, and Kusal Mendis, 40 off 23 balls, who put on defiant 56- run partnership which took Sri Lanka to a challenging 184 for 5 which gave the bowlers something to defend.
Janith Liyanage 24 off 24, and stand in skipper Dasun Shanaka 17 off 10 gave them a reasonable total to defend, which Pakistan could not chase down in an unusual effort, apart from some clever bowling by Chameera and Wannindu Hasarsnga who tied up Pakistan’s wish to make the final more in their terms.
Pakistan stayed on course thanks to skipper Salman Agar who kept the chase alive with an entertaining 63 not out off 44 balls, after Chameera ripped off the top order to have them reeling at 5 for 99 off 12.2 overs.
Hasarsnga chimed in with two wickets to strangle Pakistan’s chase and give Sri Lanka a chance of something to remember if they can duplicate that unexpected success.
Chameera was in devastating form grabbing 4 for 20 off his four overs in a player-of-the-match performance.
A huge divide in the squad about abandoning the tour after a terrorist bomb blast nearby, has had the touring team’s management working overtime to reassure the players that outlined safety measures meet the concerns of those wanting to return home.
But the underlying concern is, have the team readjusted enough to take the home team on and beat them again.
The odds of this happening again is as unlikely as the last win which no one would have bet the homes on.
From a Pakistan perspective, losing the last game let slip an opportunity of feeling confident of adding adding another piece of memorabilia to their trophy cabinet.
Sri Lanka on the other hand would return jubilant if they can win this series and put the three-match series defeat to Pakistan earlier, behind them.
The glaring fracture in Sri Lanka’s ranks after skipper Charith Asalanka and paceman Asitha Fernando returned home for reasons clouded in controversy and reasons given, no one believes, has clearly affected their focus.
But the win over Pakistan suggests the team has re- focussed, but the performance of stand-in skipper Dasun Shanaka is still under the microscope.
Shanaka is not a absolute write-off being the proud skipper of Sri Lanka’s memorable Asia Cup victory two episodes ago. But his form since has nosedived to concerning levels, even being left out of the team due to poor form.
Now, being reinstated as skipper because of Asalanka’s poor decision making, he can only succeed as he did during his earlier stint because he is widely regarded as the ” lucky captain”.
Apart from that assertion, which borders on hilarity, if he does find the odd day of success, he can be devastating, particularly with the bat.
With the World Cup looming in the not too distant future, axing Asalanka would be as foolish as shooting yourself in the foot with the comical perception that it was for the common good.
Asalanka, has more than once, carried Sri Lanka to victory on his back in many instances, so his value to the team cannot be bypassed.
In an educated train of thought, his axing which appears imminent, would give him some perspective about what the role of captaincy and how to deal with issues fits into a team decisions with an overall involvement.
