N U ABDUL RAAzAK UDAYAR
COLOMBO : Sri Lanka that stylishly won the 6th Cricket World Cup in 1996 in Pakistan under the astute captaincy of Arjuna Ranathunga has been impatiently waiting hope against hope for a great triumph in its clash against the hosts, Zimbabwe last Sunday, proved their worth by severely thrashing it in Bulawayo on 2nd July 2023. Currently the situation in Sri Lanka is not very bright as the nation is struggling to get back to normalcy out of the bitter economic crisis that has fallen in. Frankly, the crucial factors such as the economic crunch, politics, player indiscipline, inconsistency and poverty are some of the reasons that keep cricket in the doldrums in this tiny island, though brilliance blossoms at several occasions against all these odds. Cricket fans and lovers of Sri Lanka or for that matter, that of other nations could not believe their eyes on the super performances of the Lankan squad throughout the three week long (18.06.2023 -07.07.2023) Qualifiers for they rose to the occasion in every encounter though their battle against Netherland was a very close contest, to be precise, a thriller, won from the jaws of defeat.
The high riding Zimbabwe, power packed with the caliber of the players like captain Craig Evince, Scan Willam, the highest run taker of the Qualifier (588 runs off 6 matches with two centuries and 3 half centuries) and brilliant allrounder Sikandar Raza with the fastest century (off 54 deliveries) on his belt under this series could not stop the unbeaten Sri Lanka convincingly beating them by a big margin.
The hosts were unbelievably shot out for 165 runs. The bowling heroes for Sri Lanka were, Player of the Match, Maheesh Theekshana (4 for 25), Dilshan Madushanka (3 for 15) and Matheesha Pathirana (2 for 18) who produced deadly and hostile spells to have the last laugh against the strong Zimbabwe that got the highest total 408 for 6 in this series that was against the new comers the USA. Interestingly, Sri Lanka reached the target comfortably losing just one wicket in 33 overs. Sri Lankan burly opener Pathum Nissanka stole the lime light cracking an unbeaten century. He is 4th leading run maker with 290 runs off 6 matches with a century and two half centuries. The former Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne who has been among runs in this Qualifier securing the position of the 5th highest scorer with 286 runs ( a century and two half centuries) gave a solid support to Pathum getting 30 runs. Vice-captain Kusal Mendis made 25 not out to register this crucial win for Sri Lanka.
Sadly, Sri Lanka that was not among the top eight in the ODI version of cricket was asked to go for the Qualifiers along with another cricketing giant and the two times World Cup Champions, West Indies. The Hosts, India, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa are the eight dominant forces that will be in action with the two top nations out of the 10 remaining powerful countries, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Zimbabwe, Nederlands, Oman, Ireland and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States of America (USA) that are in the race for excellence to grab a spot to be in action in the 13th World Cup tourney to be worked off in early October in India.
Sri Lanka that is placed in Group B along with Scotland, Oman, Ireland and the UAE is leading the points table with 8 points with the amazing run rate of +1.17. Initially, it got qualified to be in the Super Sixes along with the hosts Zimbabwe, Scotland, Netherlands West Indies and Oman.
The Sunday’s match against Zimbabwe helped them get entry for the final show though their fifth and final clash that is against West Indies who are already thrown out of the 13th Cricket World Cup will be played on Friday 7th July 2023 closing the curtains of the highly competitive World Cup Qualifiers where 32 cricketing nations are under exposure for excellence.
Aptly, our cricket administrators particularly the coaches, selectors and their crew should be given a big pat for their tireless work and the conviction in the Sri Lankan squad that is led by 31 year old brilliant allrounder, Dasun Shanaka. Other players who are in action in Zimbabwe are deputy captain and wicket keeper, Kusal Mendis, former captain, Dimuth Karunaratne, brilliant allrounder Wanidu Hasaranga, ever dependable Pathum Nissanka, Sahan Arachchige, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, Charith Asalanka, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Sadeera Samamarawickrama and Dushmantha Chameera. Undoubtedly all these players put their best as one powerful unit to bring about this historic fete. The best bowler of this qualifier, Wanidu Hasaranga was the cynosure as he brilliantly bowled throughout the series collecting 20 wickets from 6 matches at an economy rate of 5.15. He takes a conspicuous lead as the number one bowler in the qualifier as his team mate Maheesh Theekshana and Richard Nagrava of Zimbabwe are behind him securing 13 wickets apiece.
Interestingly, there are a number of players who went out of their way to ensure victories in all the five encounters. Wanindu Hasaranga has the honour of taking 6 wickets for 24 runs against their campaign opener that was against the UAE. It was won by 175 runs by Sri Lanka. Well begun is half done. Hasaranga again showed his superb bowling skills in the next match as well. Oman were shot out for 98 runs as Wanidu and Lahiru Kumara inflicted them by claiming 5 and 3 wickets respectively. The dashing openers Dimuth Karunarathna and Pathum Nissanka reached the target in style getting 61 not out and 31 not out respectively. Lahiru Kumara and Dushmantha Chameera who played very well in this Qualifiers are unlucky to be withdrawn as they got injured in this series. They cannot easily be forgotten for their worthy contributions for the elevation of Sri Lanka for the final round to be played in India.
Sri Lanka cannot have any complacency as there are big challenges in their journey towards reaching the zenith. Hard work, conviction, consistency and unity and team work are the ingredients that cut the path for Lankan cricketers to prove the fete in Zimbabwe is not flash in the pan. All Sri Lankans are keeping their fingers crossed to see that Sri Lanka becomes the number one team in the world.
