N.U. ABDUL RAZZAK UDAYAR
COLOMBO
Sri Lanka though undergoing a massive economic crunch throughout the country is really blessed to keep its masses delighted to stage a series of matches under the Asia Cup and the grand finale where six supreme nations battled out with one another for excellence and supremacy. All these countries, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, India Pakistan and Sri Lanka splendidly maintain the benchmarks though Bhutan and Afghanistan need more excellence and quality to match their rivals in this group. Certainly cricket is the gentleman’s game that always promotes discipline and fair play. There are myriad of rules and regulations that keep the players under proper conduct. Interestingly, apart from this basic features, cricket readily or richly offers glorious uncertainties keeping the millions of fans, players and others mesmerized. It is full of drama, thrills and unlimited excitement. These uncertainties were witnesses the other day at Kettharama Stadium.
Frankly, Thursday 14th September 2023 was an unforgettable day not only for the Hosts, Sri Lanka but also for the Guests Pakistan and the whole world as these two nations were scheduled to show their prowess to prove their dominance in the Super four encounter in order to join the cricketing giants India for the showpiece, the final of the Asia Cup to be worked off on Sunday 17th September 2023. In a do or die game both teams, Sri Lanka and Pakistan respectively under the captaincy of Dasun Shanka and Baber Azam were executing their respective game (master) plans to beat the other for the berth of final. Initially and in between rain played its own game reducing this exciting clash into 42 over innings. The pendulum of favour was swinging in favour of guests at one point and hosts at another. Notably, this trend was frequently repeated as the battle between the bat and ball continued at the Kettharama Stadium till the end of the last ball keeping fans, players and others in bewilderment, excitement puzzle, suspense and what not!
To be fair, Pakistan did everything right to put up a decent and challenging score of 252 runs losing only 7 wickets. Thanks to their wicket keeper batsman Mohamed Rizwan who made a patient and a quickfire 87 off 82 balls.
Host, Sri Lanka too replied proving that they were not second to Pakistan as Kusal Mendis rose to the occasion with an elegant score of 92 runs. Then the match was wide open as brilliance shone from both sides either in the form of bowling, batting or fielding from time to time till the end of the delivery of the last ball of the day though the match ended at one five a.m.
Destiny Decided in last over
If “Well begun is half done”, what about perfect Finish? Yes, “Well Finished is full done”, this was the message given by the hero of this match Charith Asalanka who grabbed this apparently unlikely and unwinnable match for Sri Lanka. His 49 not out including the 4 in the penultimate ball and the two in the last ball of the final over were stunning and unforgettable forever. Dear Pakistani cricketers you have done no wrong as you cleverly sent Madhusan for a run out in the 4th ball of the last over. But it was a blessing in disguise for Sri Lanka as Asalanga Assault was waiting in the wings to show his inherent talent. Fortune favours the brave.
The Lanka’s number one hard hitter Asalanka never lost his and was seen calm and collected though thousands of Lankan fans were fully upset and were impatiently watching the drama and thrills that the last two overs of this nail biting match unleashed at the Kettharama ground. Obviously, our hero Asalanka has got this win for the young charismatic Lankan all-rounder, Dunith Wellalage who bravely took the initiative to shoot out the Juggernauts India for 214 runs in 49.1 overs though Lankan batters miserably collapsed like nine pins for the score of 172 runs. Sri Lanka and Pakistan Zindabad for both teams for they tried their best dishing out a thrilling game.
The latest glorious uncertainty was witnessed on 15th Friday as the cup favourities, Indians were beaten by 6 runs by Bangladeshi Tigers in the super 4 round as it defended the score of 266 for 8. The skipper of Bangladesh Shakib Al Hasan led from the front amassing 80 runs off 85 deliveries. Sri Lanka should forget its underdog status and rise to the occasion to give a challenge to India. Bangladesh has shown the path for victory. Championship is wide open! Who will be crowned as the Asian Cup Winners? The Reigning Champions Sri Lanka or 2018 Champs India? Definitely, the teams that outplays their Rivals are the winners. Email: abdulenglish2707r@gmail.com
