Well, Sri Lanka lost the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series finale to the host country Pakistan. The result must have been rather disappointing for some, but no so for others who have been following the team’s progress in white ball cricket.
Not so long ago just two months back in September, Sri Lanka were thrashed 2-1 by England in the three-match ODI series. So inconsistent were their performances that sandwiched between a 16-run win at Headingley were two rather disappointing defeats in the first and third matches where Sri Lanka managed totals of just 176 and 132. It was exasperating to see the type of cricket they played, no fight back, but abject surrender.
Fast forward to October, it was a totally different Sri Lanka team we saw in the ODI Tri-Series. At the beginning of the tournament no one gave Sri Lanka a chance to even get closer to a final. It was to be a Pakistan-England final everyone was looking forward to.
But as the tournament progressed Sri Lanka began to gradually unveil their true potential. First it was that record run chase of 430 against England that would have lifted the spirits of the team sky high. It was then followed by the rout of Pakistan for 110 in the next match – a win that assured Sri Lanka a place in the final. There followed two back to back defeats against England in the final league match which was a dead rubber and in the final against Pakistan.
But what was most heartening from these results is that in three of their last four matches Sri Lanka topped 325 plus, which was something of an achievement if one was to look back on their performance in England. Mind you they scored these runs without one of their key top order batters Pathum Nissanka. After experimenting with several opening options Sri Lanka were successful with Kamindu Mendis and Avishka Fernando at the top. Each of them made over 200 runs in the tournament striking at 97.73 and 98.07 respectively. Kamindu Mendis went onto score a century in the final demonstrating his ability to play long innings and take responsibility, and Avishka recalled to the team after more than a year, missing out on a century by three runs against England in that record run chase.
If one was to critically analyse why Sri Lanka lost the final to Pakistan even after scoring 325 it was the absence of a fifth bowling option. Sri Lanka had Pakistan down at 14-2 and still allowed them to reach their target of 326. Fakhar Zaman’s splendid knock of 127 off 83 balls and Saad Baig’s contribution of 74 in a partnership of 149 changed the complexion of the chase.
Even after dismissing both batsmen and Salman Agha, Sri Lanka still couldn’t finish the job. Arafat Minhas produced a stunning counterattacking innings of 61 off just 31 deliveries, while Hasan Nawaz provided valuable support. That late partnership of 94 off 65 balls exposed Sri Lanka’s inability to control the game during the crucial overs. This is precisely where Sri Lanka’s lack of a fifth bowling option cost them the match. It wasn’t that Pakistan had an extraordinary batting lineup throughout the innings. Fakhar was exceptional, and Baig deserves credit for his contribution, but Sri Lanka gave away too many opportunities through their bowling, and crucial catches were spilled particularly when the pressure was on.
Against England, Sri Lanka’s fifth bowling option of Arachchige, Liyanage and Shanaka conceded 82 runs off nine overs, and against Pakistan 81 off 10. In the high scoring first match against England, Sri Lanka’s fifth bowling option of Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis and Liyanage leaked 123 runs off 10 overs, but it didn’t get highlighted because of Sri Lanka’s extraordinary run chase. Sri Lanka needs to address this important area before bigger tournaments. The lack of a genuine all-rounder is also a matter of concern.
On the positive side Sri Lanka has made vast strides especially in their batting. They’ll have to build their batting around Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Pavan Rathnayake, and Janith Liyanage whose potential deserves backing.
The biggest positive is Pavan Rathnayake. What a tournament this 24-year-old cricketer from Mahanama College and CCC is having. Five innings, 427 runs, two centuries and two half-centuries, at an extraordinary average of 106.75. Beyond those numbers, what was most impressive was his resilience, patience, temperament and understanding of the game. His scores of 79 (74) against Pakistan, 130 (106) against England, 23* (26) against Pakistan, 118 (77) against England and 77 (65) in the final against Pakistan tell you the story of his consistency.
If ever a player deserved the Player of the Series award it was Rathnayake. His numbers tell the story. He was the highest run scorer of the tournament. No one came close! And yet the Player of the Series award goes to a player from the winning team. For all his brilliance on the field Rathnayake was presented with the All-Rounder of the Final and Best Fielder of the Final awards. Simply heartbreaking. Cricket is not just about who won the final, it›s about who dominated the whole series. And Rathnayake dominated it like no one else.
The one defeat in the final should not take away the appreciation the team deserves. The tournament demonstrated that Sri Lanka cricket had plenty of talent and character. The players deserve the encouragement, patience and unconditional support to attain greater heights.