N.U. Abdul Razzak Udayar
The Hosts Sri Lanka armed with 6 Asia Cup titles that bravely beat Pakistan in their last match of Super Four round only the other were compelled to eat the humble pie as the juggernauts India mercilessly broke the backbone of the batting line and other bones of Sri Lankan team on their own den giving them a meagre 50 runs on just after 3 days, to be precise, on Sunday 17th.September 2023. The son of auto rickshaw driver, the 29 year old Mohammed Siraj, the Right- arm pacer, ranked as World No 9 was the cynosure at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Kettharama, Colombo as he sensationally caused havoc to Sri Lanka by claiming 6 wickets for 21 runs off 7 overs. His second over was the most vicious and incredibly nasty for Sri Lanka as he stylishly grabbed four wickets in this golden over though it missed him a rare hat trick by a whisker. The Lankan former Test pacie, slinger, Lasitha Malinga still majestically holds the incredible feat of getting four wickets in four consecutive deliveries that was against anew-Zealand thus getting first hat-trick plus one. Incredibly, the Indian pacers Mohammed Siraj, (6wickets) Jasprith Bumrah (1 wicket) and the Vice Captain Hardik Pandiya (3 wickets) menacingly bowled to skittle Sri Lankans out for 50 runs in 15.2 overs. In reply the Indian openers, Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan brilliantly chased the target collecting unbeaten 27 and 23 respectively in 6.1 overs. Though the R. Premadasa stadium in Kettharama ensured a level playing field for the Hosts and the Guests, the Lankan lions were unprofessional and off the colour on this decisive moment. Miserably, Lankan total is the lowest score in the Asia Cricket Cup history that had its inception in 1984 with the participation of only three team. India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka that vied for supremacy in the Sharjah Stadium under round-robin where Indians were crowned as they beat their arch rivals, Pakistan in the final.
Let by gones be by gones
Let by gones be by gones. It is high time that this nightmare, the unpleasant event was completely forgotten as the World Cup is round the corner. England and New Zealand will be in action in the curtain raiser of the 13th edition of the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup that will be staged in Ahmadabad. Sri Lanka will clash against South Africa in their first fixture that is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on 7th October 2023. Therefore, our team needs to undergo long training, methodical practising, effective coaching and sympathetic counselling for achieving team work and above all to be sensible and act on back foot on perilous occasions such as unbelievably losing 6 wickets for 12 runs. There is a big responsibility for the selectors and trainers to pick the best team that can rise against any unwanted collapse in batting, bowling or fielding. “Matches win catches.” This is perfectly true as the Indian talented young all-rounder Rainvindra Jadeja showcased in a crucial match getting a stunning catch to get the victory in their favour. If the hard hitters can display fireworks to take the sides to victory, the slow and steady batsmen can carefully revive the collapse of batting line up and impactfully pose a big challenge to avoid the mismatch and let thousands of spectators to view the important matches for a longer period of time unleashing ther the real entertainment. Who is answerable for the denial of the enjoyment to the spectators at the stadium and then make a bee line back home to their respective destinations? Success has many fathers but failure is an orphan! Let us methodically turn this orphan a powerful hero to regain the lost pride.
Selection not only for celebrating Victory but also to avoid facing Embarrassment
The day Sunday 17th September 2023 was a day of embarrassment for Sri Lanka as our whole team including the officials failed fulfill the great expectation of the Sri Lankan fans, supporters and the spectators who rocked at the R. Premadasa stadium, at Kettharama in Colombo. Particularly, the fans who bought expensive tickets were badly let down as the showpiece of the Asian Cup became a nightmare that dragged on for three hours giving anxiety, pain of mind and dejection. Hence, it is high time that the selectors, officials and other influential figures should also think of the spectators who come to watch this spectacle from far off places such as Jaffna, Ampara, Akkaraipatthu, Anuradhapura, Badulla, Trincomalee etc. when teams are selected. At least one two dependable batters or all-rounders should be included in the squad to see that our team gets a reasonable score such as 200 runs to dish out a competitive encounter.
Lankan Loss, an Enigma
The mighty India who had a cake walk against the Hosts, Sri Lanka deservedly got themselves crowned as the Asian Cricket Kings since they heroically won all their matches that were worked off under the Asian Cup. No doubt it was a splendid performance by team India with the brave and incredible bowling feat by the fast bowler Mohammed Siraj who has now rooted at the first spot in the ODI bowling. But look at the performance of the Hosts Sri Lanka! True, their batters were not consistent and some bowlers at times were taken to the cleaners. Nevertheless, they un/noticeably got 14 successive wins in ODIs prior to this ignominious defeat. “One swallow does not make a summer”. Fine leave it. Then, legion of sparrows makes a summer! Not for Sri Lanka! But unluckily it was not witnessed. Is it enigma, the glorious uncertainties of cricket or our spineless performance? Anyway, hapless Sri Lanka won the 14 battles (most in the Asian cup) and foolishly lost the war under unprecedented Indian dominance. Then, it was observed that there were a few voices of that reverberated the suspicion t that our team purposely lost the match or betrayed the country. Subsequently, one two complaints made. Let us hope the authorities probe this matter a give the verdict. Anyway, Our Lions badly need to pull up their socks to give a big fight to the cricket giants like India, Australia, New- Zealand, England. Pakistan and so on that will be in action in India. Can Sri Lankan Lions bravely beard the Indian Tigers in their own lair? Anything is possible with the blessings of God. Of course, dedication coupled with hard work will certainly bring about success to any team! Sri Lanka is not an exception!
Lankan Lions again Need Motivation and unstinted Support of All Lankans
Failures are the pillars of success. Can Sri Lanka strongly rebuild her former image to be the number one force as led by our former World Cup winning skipper Arjuna Ranathunga? Undoubtedly, resilience is one inherent trait of Sri Lankans. Let all Sri Lankans in unison support our heroes who in one decisive match became zeroes due to inclement weather, inconsistency, poor planning rival brilliance and the like. A cat has nine lives. Dear skipper, Dashun Shanka, you had the last laugh as the selectors have given in. All lankans are rallying round behind you and your team mates as the two week long Asian Cricket up helped us forget the pain and untold suffering caused by the economic crunch. World cup is one month long. Interestingly your action will keep the nation glued to cricket forgetting all other worries. We hopefully see all our lions to make a safe and importantly a victorious journey to India in a week or so
