Lankans looking for series triumph

By Dr. Elmo RODRIGOPULLE

The Sri Lankan cricketers who drew first blood, will be looking for more blood to stuff the Pakistanis in the Second Twenty20 international to be played at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium and pocket the series, here in Sooriyawewa, under lights at 7 p.m. today. Sri Lanka’s amazing victory by 37 runs in the first Twenty20, was possible because of the wonderful leadership of Mahela Jayawardena and the astonishing, catching by Tillekeratne Dilshan, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekera and Kaushal Lokuarachchi.

When the Lankans were restricted to 132 for 7, on a wicket that was playing easy with even bounce and the ball coming on to the bat, the Pakistanis would surely have been sensing an easy stroll to victory.

But the home team put that batting setback behind them and the manner and the determination on their faces, when they took the field it was obvious that they were going to be ruthless on the Pakistanis. The first two deliveries from Kulasekera which dismissed skipper Mohamed Hafeez and Shakeel Ansar to two marvellous catches at point by Dilshan, wrote the script for a dream victory.

Those dismissals took the stuffings off the Pakistani batting and after that what was witnessed was a procession of batsmen coming and going offering limp bats. Hafeez, Malik, Akmal and Afridi were clueless. Afridi who was famous for his big hitting, now looks a spent force. His aggressiveness and quick reflexes seems to have deserted him and he seems to be playing on his past deeds.

Excellent spells by Kulasekera 2 for 13 in 3, Lasith Malinga 2 for 12 in 3, Angelo Mathews 2 for 8 in 4 and Sachitra Senanayake 2 for 20 in 3, floored the visitors. In the process, the goal-keeper-like diving catch by Player of the Match Thisara Perera at deep point who blazed 32 in 16 with 2 sixes was superb.

The adage that catches win matches was amply proved in this encounter. The Sri Lankan fielders must remain focused and if the bowlers repeat, at the end of the final ball the two match series could be theirs.

It was inexplicable the Lanka batting flop. In this style of game they must aim at anything between 170 and 180 to put pressure on the opponents. The Lankan batting guns cannot afford to misfire a second time.

As for the Pakistanis, after the great effort by their bowlers,especially left arm new-ball bowler Sohail Tanvir, the batting looked utterly irresponsible and disorganized as the debacle proves. Unless they get their batting act right, the Pakistanis are doomed for another defeat and a series loss which will be heart-breaking to new skipper Mohammed Hafeez who promised so much. We hope that the game will end in another Lankan victory. A win for Pakistan will again go to prove the futility in playing two instead of three games.