N.U. ABDUL RAZZAK UDAYAR
SHARJAH : If “Well begun is half done,” Perfect Finishing could be considered as full or well done. Sri Lankan cricket contingent that conspicuously lacked the art of Finishing succeeded in flying starts, at its World Cup cricket campaign in Oman and the UAE from the early October, miserably put up poor finishings in crucial matches thus running themselves out of the final four stage of this great spectacle to be staged in a few days. However, their month long tour is not a waste mission but a fruitful journey gaining much wanted experience and having international exposure besides unearthing hidden talent and treasure.
The find of the tour wonder boy, the bowling specialist and genuine all-rounder, Wanidu Hasaranga is an asset for the whole world as he has effectively and successfully completed his mission by becoming the number one bowler of the world today. He has completely stolen the lime light by grabbing 16 wickets on this international tourney. He has safely secured the number one spot in the T20 bowlers’ rankings of the ICC having 776 points. He is closely followed by Tabraiz Shamsi of South Africa with 770 points. Both heroes are out of the final show as their respective sides are eliminated in the Super 12 round.
Winning Five Fixture On The Trot
Frankly, Sri Lankan Cricket has been in the doldrums prior to its team’s departure to the Middle East for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup due to various reasons. The young and energetic, Sports Minister, Namal Rajapaksa wisely took the right measures to help Sri Lanka get the best talented squad for this tour. Although Sri Lanka could not get qualified for the big finale, it proved its worth by winning 7 international fixtures of the 10 matches that encountered on its month long journey for the World Cup. They won the first five fixtures thanks to the astute captaincy of Dasun Shanaka. Interestingly, initially the Lankan Lions got off to a flying start as they convincingly beat the much improved Oman in their two vital practice matches that were staged in Oman and all three fixtures in the Round 01 of the T20 world Cup that were played in Oman and the UAE. Our Lions under the captaincy of powerful all-rounder Dasun Shanaka really performed their best proving that they are second to none by grabbing all six points thus placing themselves on the top of Group A of the Qualifying Round. Incredibly, they won five matches on the trot. The first two were against formidable Oman that is properly guided by the former Sri Lanka Skipper Dulip Mendis, a Mendis Special for hammering the ball out of the ground. Then our cricketers convincingly toppled Nambia, Ireland and the Netherland in the First Round giving a warning to the other members of the Super 12. The mystery spinner, Maheesh Theekshana too proved his prowess by grabbing several wickets in the important matches. The batters Charitha Asalanka and Pathum Nissanka contributed in no small way to achieve success in the matches that Sri Lanka has won. Banuka, Rajapaksa, Lahiru Kumara, Dhumantha Chameera cannot be forgotten as they chipped in heavily for the wins that we got in this campaign. Our Captain, Dasun Shanaka should be praised for the wonderful job that he has done to make Sri Lanka, a real competitor in this one month campaign. Although he couldn’t rise to the occasion in vital matches, to get semifinal berth, his captaincy skills and contributions as the all-rounder throughout the series was instrumental for Sri Lanka not to dramatically collapse in any matches. The matches that we lost were very competitive.
Instant Reward
The young batting star Aviska Fernando was off colour though he made a stylish 83 not out against Oman and some useful contributions in a few matches. The experienced opener Kusal Janith Perera was not in his best form, but he should be given more opportunities as he possess good boatmanship. Dushmantha Chameera, d Lahiru Kumara, Dhananjaya Lakshan have also performed well though Sri Lanka couldn’t grab the wins in vital matches. Particularly, the encounter in the Super 12 Round against South Africa was a nightmare as our well-deserved victory was snatched away at the eleventh hour by the South African later order batsmen, David Miller and Kagisca Raboda (skipper) as they mercilessly thrashed our bowlers in the last two overs. When Lanka failed to finish the art of Finishing, South Africa had the last laugh. Overall, all cricketers of the present squad have done well to keep the image of Sri Lanka as a competitive cricketing nation. One of the brilliant wicket keeper batsman, Dinesh Chandimal, who was a failure on this tour needs to be given another chance as he can be a triump card for future fixtures. Thanks boys for keeping the Sri Lankan flag high in all the stadiums in the Middle East. As the Finale of the T20 gets completed by this week end the UAE is being prepared to stage the shortest format of the cricket, Abu Dhabi T10 on 19th November. This is the sweetest news for Sri Lanka as 9 of their national icons will be in action for this tourney for two weeks. The following players will participate for different clubs in this tournament that will be staged at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
1. Isuru Udana Tillakaratna
2. Matheesha Pathirana
3. Wanindu Hasaranga De Silva
4. Upul Tharanga
5. Binura Udara Fernando
6. Dushmantha Chameera
7. Maheesh Theekshana
8. Dhananjaya Lakshan
9. Chamika Karunaratne
