On the opening night of the Asia Cup, it was inconceivable that Sri Lanka would beat Bangladesh, Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan on speed. After nearly being kicked out of his party – he’s the host, remember? – Their race to reach the final has added a refreshing twist to a tournament many thought would be a three-match India-Pakistan series, with some undercards thrown in the middle.
Sri Lanka’s mediocre record coming into the tournament has made their runs even more astonishing. They landed in Dubai after losing nine of their last 11 T20Is. Without Avishka Fernando, Dushmantha Chamira, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajita, and Kusal Perera, injuries within the group delayed their squad announcement.
It is not a team built on the gen of the past, or with the ammunition and aggro of Sanath Jayasuriya or Romesh Kaluvitaran. This is not a team with the magical skills of Muttiah Muralitharan or Lasith Malinga. There is no saint-like wisdom – to turn to what Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene have come up with.
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Having an average domestic T20 set-up compared to India or Pakistan or Bangladesh
Simply put, this is an inexperienced team with little or no choice but to fly. They have achieved this despite having an average domestic T20 set-up compared to India or Pakistan or Bangladesh. Although the Lankan Premier League has been around for two seasons, it has been postponed this year, with the IPL, PSL, and BPL being the more established events.
However, the situation at home – coupled with the raging economic crisis – may put some things in perspective. Shanaka has repeatedly talked about trying to bring people back home on the faces of people. Chanuka Rajapaksa wants to give fans back the brand of cricket they played in the 1990s. Tauranga wants fans to start believing in the team again. There is a collective sense of happiness and freedom. It has spread to every corner of the travel team.
Under new coach Chris Silverwood, the team has already achieved an ODI series whitewash over Australia, apart from Test victories over Australia and Pakistan. So they know they’re good enough.
Without some of their best players available for the Asia Cup, which took away a lot of pace and batting firepower, Sri Lanka had to make a quick fix; There was not enough time for an overhaul. In any case, Silverwood has had to hit the ground running. They’ve been with Sri Lanka for four months, and they’ve barely got time to breathe.
It of a kind step to start with Kusal Mendis
Kind of a move to start with Kusal Mendis, who has provided some clean, frills-free batting in place of Danushka Gunathilaka. Or hedging bets on Pathum Nisanka, an old-school, conservative batsman. Or handing over the new ball to Dilshan Madushanka, a left-arm pacer who didn’t have a spike in his bowling till three years ago. He had to find ways to escape his father’s wrath cricket. Here he was playing the stumps of Virat Kohli with a vicious inswinger. Had he not played for injuries, he might not have played, but now it is difficult to see how Sri Lanka will leave him.
There is no dirt on the field from Shanaka’s side. He is a friendly character, happy to provide his insight whenever his bowlers need it, but at other times happy to watch his execution from afar. He has not been in their ear to give instructions all the time. Shanaka has been that quiet contributor who rose above the pressure and played with the bat without any fuss.
You can’t imagine looking at him that he is a reluctant captain
You cannot imagine looking at him that he is a reluctant captain. He is the captain of a bowler. That gives them the fields they want and gives them leeway for errors. And that stays in the background. Except for a quip or two about Afghanistan’s bowling being more dangerous than Bangladesh’s. Even that, said ESPNcricinfo expert Farvez Mahroof, was not like Shanaka at all.
we know that Bangladesh’s “at least we have Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur (Rahman); Sri Lanka has none”.
Peace has been central to Sri Lanka’s success. They are not afraid of pressure so far. He has also supported luck by winning the toss in each of his four victories. And so, batting first is a challenge he is yet to accept.
But for a team that has weathered the many challenges thrown at them to punch above their weight and show themselves and the world they are no pushovers, Sunday night still looks forward to a bright future. Could be a springboard.
