Sri Lanka won a T20I match against Pakistan after 6 years and for the first time in their history of T20I Cricket they won a T20I Series by a margin of 3-0 that too against Pakistan who had an unbelievable streak of winning 11 T20I Series and that too in their own backyard of Pakistan; Sri Lanka bamboozled the opposition for the first time in their T20I history as in this T20I Series there was no King of Yorkers (Lasith Malinga), the Run Machine (Kusal Mendis) and many talented players; but the Sri Lankan players and management made a statement that they have got zeitgeist to beat the puissant opponents which is indeed much needed which is pivotal for team’s success
#Pakistan
Pakistan now have lost 2 consecutive T20I Series where the first was against the mighty Proteas in February 2019 where Sarfaraz Ahmed the skipper was suspended for using offensive language against the complete allrounder Andile Phelukwayo in the ODI Series ; (Pakistan had also lost one off T20I against the former T20I Champions England in May); now against a second string team of Sri Lanka who didn’t had any type of ample experience playing cricket on International stage.
The opening combination of Pakistan had the worst team didn’t score even 15 runs and they couldn’t score runs and survive for a mere 3 overs which was the most excruciating fact which came through in this T20I Series. Babar Azam the fastest batsman to 1000 T20I runs wasn’t finding the gaps and failed to rotate the strike as a result he failed to score a single 30+ score in this T20I Series; which he did on a consistent basis as he was the pillar of Pakistan’s batting line up when they were in mesmerizing form. Babar Azam’s failure took place as Misbah ul- Haq the new coach and chief selector changed the opening partner and brought back Ahmed Shehzad who previously was banned for doping violation. Ahmed Shahzad failed miserably as he wasn’t able to score a single 15+ score in his 2 matches in 1 match he batted at No.3; Fakhar Zaman the dashing opener got a reality check as he was targeted from ball 1. Umar Akmal also made a comeback to the T20I side but for him the return proved to be nightmare as in 2 matches he was dismissed for a golden duck i.e. he lost his wicket on the very first ball in both the matches. Sarfaraz Ahmed once again failed to showcase and display his batting skills as he couldn’t take the team out of tricky and dangerous situations; Pakistan badly need a captain’s knock from Sarfaraz Ahmed the captain and also from the batsman.
Haris Sohail the ODI format sensation for Pakistan continued his sublime form in the T20I as in the 3rd T20I match he played a knock of 52 and he made a statement that if you can make proper shot selection according to the situation and the ball which you are going to face then you can definitely score runs and contribute for the team. The middle order of Pakistan was in a hurry to play big shots even when the foundation was not laid as a result, they lost 6-7 wickets within 30-40 runs and a lot of chaos was there in their batting.
Imad Wasim the left arm off spinner was economical and a wicket taking option for Sarfaraz and Pakistan as he took 2 wickets at an economy of 5.9 which proves to be a run stopping asset for the team. Mohammed Aamir the young fast bowler took the beating only in the 2nd T20I; the performance of Aamir was satisfactory but he failed to pick up the wickets in crunch situations but he took 3 wickets in this T20I Series. Wahab Riaz the veteran fast bowler didn’t showcase his experience i.e. he didn’t lead the bowling attack and when the novice bowlers were under pressure, he didn’t guide them. His spells were economical but the column of wickets wasn’t that pleasing. Shadab Khan the leg spinner was taken to the cleaners by Sri Lanka’s inexperienced batting line up and he was made a target which was seen throughout the T20I Series as a result the wickets he took didn’t prove to be valuable. Pakistan’s bowling attack comprised of experience and youth but this wasn’t the bowling attack who demolished the opponents earlier; Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi and Faheem Ashraf this was the trio who scattered the opposition and raised a lot of questions in the team’s dressing room and in mind. The presence of Wahab Riaz and Mohammed Aamir is invaluable but their performance should speak and the Selection Committee should make sure that the balance of youth and veteran should be used and if not, then such type of performances are always on the cards.
#Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s hard work and a string of Series losses finally came to an end against a Champion team who was and still is a reigning T20I side; Sri Lanka had a nerve wrecking T20I Series against Kiwis but in the last T20I Lasith Malinga sparked a hope of being victorious and this performance is all their perspiration which has paid off.
Danushka Gunthalika the batsman who always is in and out of the team played a fantastic knock of 57 runs in the 1st T20I but after that his form went down as he scored 80 runs; He has shown that he can accelerate his innings when got settled but he needs to get a good start. Avishka Fernando who is considered to play big knocks due to his ability of finding the gaps but failed to live up-to his expectations as he could not notch a single turbulent innings as a result, he scored 41 runs in 2 matches. Bhanuka Rajapaksa the debutant made the most of opportunity as he took the Pakistani bowling attack by storm as he scored 112 runs in which there was a splendid knock played of 77 runs in the 2nd T20I match which won them the T20I Series; He definitely is a long term prospect for Sri Lanka’s middle order where they lack a batsman who will take the entire team forward in the match and also keep a healthy run rate in the middle overs phase. Dasun Shanaka the all rounder was given the captaincy reins and he played the role of finisher ideally as he gave the team the finishing touch except in the 3rd T20I match. The entire batting department of Sri Lanka contributed which was in bits and pieces but the team made sure that the team avoid collapses and they didn’t got bundled out in all the 3 T20I which in itself a good achievement for Sri Lanka; Selection Committee of Sri Lanka now should make sure that the mix of youth and experience would also continue such type of performance.
Nuwan Pradeep the experienced campaigner led the team from the front as he bagged 7 wickets that too with an incredible economy rate in 2 matches; He now definitely has given the much-needed support which Lasith Malinga needed in the bowling department. Isuru Udana the deception bowler who has a habit of bowling more slow and cunning deliveries took 5 wickets; He played a big role in wrapping up the tail which is also required in order to finish the games; bowling in the middle overs can prove to be tricky but he made sure that he took an odd wicket which can turn the things quickly in the team’s favor. Kasun Rajitha the bowler who is a treat to watch in the red ball cricket made a statement that the format may change but if a bowler bowls immaculate line and lengths in the power play overs then wickets would definitely come that too with a good economy rate as he took 3 wickets in 3 matches. Wamindu Hasaranga was a wicket taking leg spinner for the team as he destroyed Pakistan’s batting line up by taking 8 wickets in 3 matches; He wasn’t a great turner of the ball but he made sure through his deliveries he is enticing the batsman to play big shots as he was flighting the ball a lot as a result the wickets column was filled in every match which every captain and team management strives for.
In the 3rd T20I match the management of Sri Lanka made sure that each and every member of team who was on bench got a game as a result there were whole sale changes made to the team; that team displayed almost a complete performance. Sri Lanka team should not get overwhelmed by an almost perfect performance because in the near future they are going to face the Cunning Aussies in the end of October month; this performance definitely would have brought self-belief back in the dressing room and in the team and if Sri Lanka continue to do small things in an appropriate manner then they would be a threat which no one can imagine.
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