Sri Lanka in search of a consolation win

Sri Lanka, having already lost the One Day International series to Pakistan, could only look forward to a consolation win when they meet the tourists in the fifth and final ODI to be played at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium in Sooriyawewa today.

Pakistan team is enjoying a highly successful tour, winning both the Test and ODI series against Sri Lanka, that too after a lapse of nine years! But Pakistan started both the Test and ODI series with a bang. Both the Test series and ODI series were tied one-all after the respective first two games.

But Pakistan came out with some stunning performances towards the end of both the series to inflict Sri Lanka one of its worst home series defeats in recent times. Having won the three-Test series 2-1, Pakistan have already taken a winning 3-1 lead in the five-match ODI series.

There is only an academic interest in today's fifth ODI but Sri Lanka will make every effort to pull off a consolation victory and reduce Pakistan's victory margin to 3-2. But that would not be good enough to cover Sri Lanka's pathetic performance.

Sri Lanka's poor batting had mainly led to the home team's downfall both in the Test and ODI series. In the three Test matches against Pakistan, Sri Lanka could put up totals of only 300 all out and 206 all out in Galle, 315 all out and 153 for 3 at Premadasa Staium, 278 all out and 313 all out in Pallekele. Out of all six Test innings, Sri Lanka has failed to put up a total of over 315.

The Lankan batsmen have been off colour in the first four ODIs too, managing to score only 255 for 8, 288 for 8, 181 all out and 256 for 9. Despite getting some batsmen-friendly tracks, the Lankans have failed to total more than 288 runs in any of the four ODIs they have played so far. That shows how badly the batsmen had let down their side down.

Although Kumar Sangakkara played in the first two Tests, he was not at his brilliant best with a top score of only 50 runs in the four innings he had played. The absence of Sanga and Mahela Jayawardene was felt badly both in the Test and ODI series.

A few bright spots

There had been a few bright spots in a couple of Lankan innings but those were not good enough. For an example, opener Kusal Perera's explosive 68 off 25 balls in the second ODI and the 109-run second wicket partnership between Tillakaratne Dilshan and Lahiru Thirimanne in the fourth ODI were treats to watch. But the Lankans must make that a habit.

It looked as if Sri Lanka were going to win the fourth ODI to level the series and make today's last game the series decider. Electing to bat first, Sri Lanka were strongly placed at 109 for one after 22.2 overs before Pakistan came back strongly to restrict the home team to 256 for 9 in 50 overs in the fourth ODI.

But skipper Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chadimal could not maintain the same rhythm as Pakistan bowlers gradually took control to restrict Sri Lanka to a modest total. Sri Lanka entered the last 20 overs with seven wickets intact but they could produce only 113 runs off the last 116 balls as wickets tumbled at regular intervals.

This was Pakistan's first series win in Sri Lanka in nine years as the visitors moved closer towards Champions Trophy qualification. Sharp ground fielding of Pakistan players added salt to Lanka's wounds ever since left-arm spinner Imad Wasim, playing only his second ODI, combined an arm ball with low bounce to dismiss Dilshan for 50 with the total on 109 in the 23rd over.

Pakistan fielders and the spinners circled around Lankan batsmen since then to exert pressure with six men inside the circle more often. Pakistan spinners ran through their overs quickly with plenty of dot balls, thus building pressure on the home team batsmen. The manner in which Yasir Shah, Wasim and Shoaib Malik bowled, conceding only 108 runs in 24 overs they jointly bowled, shows the dominance Pakistan bowlers have had after they had broken the Dilshan-Thirimanne alliance.

It was pity that skipper Mathews failed to handle pressure with all his experience. He found it tough to face Wasim and Malik and even singles were hard to come. That forced Mathews to take a risk, hitting Rahat Ali straight to Yasir Shah at mid-off.

When Pakistan batsmen were in full cry, Mathew cut a sorry figure as he ran out of options. There were regular instructions coming from the dressing room but none of those could stop Pakistan's victorious forward march. Mathews kept continuous faith on Suranga Lakmal and Sachith Pathirana though Pakistan batsmen had a rich harvest against their bowling.

Sri Lanka has gradually lost its dominance in ODIs after taking command during the first half of last year during which they won all of their limited-overs tournaments, including an Asia Cup, ICC World T20 title and an ODI series in England. In contrast, they have cut a sorry figure during the corresponding period this year - since January, losing ODI series to New Zealand and Pakistan. Sri Lanka also made a quarter-final exit at the ICC World Cup.

Marvan's explanations

Sri Lanka's strategy to keep more faith in all-rounders instead of specialist bowlers has not paid rich dividends. In short, Sri Lanka has many issues to address if they are to regain their lost prestige. But coach Marvan Atapattu does not seem understand the alarming situation.

"I don't think there's a hell of a lot of issues with our planning and what we want to do with the ball. Executing under pressure is something that concerns us. We have played on really good tracks since January in New Zealand," Atapattu was quoted as saying.

Atapattu has said that the team hasn't got the wickets quite regularly as they had expected from Lasith Malinga. "That's something that we have missed. That's one of the reasons we've lost the series," Atapattu adds.

But it is not fair for Atapattu to put the blame on Malinga for his team's debacle. If Malinga has been off colour, they should have explored other options rather than persisting with the key paceman.

As Atapattu had pointed out, missing Sanga and Mahela is going to be "a bit difficult" at the start. But emerging young players must take responsibility, grab the chances that come their way. It is a learning curve in terms of tactics, strategy and endurance.

Sri Lanka's failures in Test and ODI series have prompted the national selectors to bring five uncapped players to the T20 squad for the two games against Pakistan to be played at Premadasa Stadium on July 30 and August 1.

It is difficult to understand the logic behind the recall of Chamara Kapugedara who figured last of his 21 T20 internationals more than three years ago. Despite figuring in 92 ODIs, he has failed to justify the chances he had got, averaging just 22.04.

The selectors must justify their decision to recall Kapugedara while dropping Dinesh Chandimal and Thirimanne after they have regained form.