Sri Lanka have one more hurdle to clear to reach final

• Take on Pakistan in crucial game today

 Having somewhat regained their form with a convincing nine-wicket win against Zimbabwe on Tuesday, Sri Lanka face their final hurdle when they confront hosts Pakistan today in what could be another do-or-die contest in the T20I Tri-Series in Rawalpindi.

A win will see Sri Lanka face Pakistan in the final on Saturday, whereas a loss will enable Zimbabwe to sneak through to the final on a better net run rate. Sri Lanka are too good a side to let that happen and, if the way they performed against Zimbabwe is anything to go by, they should beat Pakistan and contest the final.

Sri Lanka bowled and batted as if possessed and raised their game a notch higher to defeat Zimbabwe and outplay them. There is nothing like a win to boost the confidence of a team and Sri Lanka were desperate for one, having lost their last five T20Is before Tuesday’s victory. The win should hold them in good stead although Pakistan are not an easy side to beat going on their current form.

Today’s match is in Pakistan’s hands, whether they want Sri Lanka or Zimbabwe as their opponents in the final. Pakistan should also be reminded that this T20I Tri-Series would not have been taking place had Sri Lanka decided not to stay back and continue the tour after a bomb scare nearly resulted in half the team wanting to return home.

Sri Lanka’s target to hunt down 147 was all about Pathum Nissanka. Since that memorable 107 he scored against India in the final group match of the Asia Cup in September, Nissanka had failed to convert any of his starts into a big one until Tuesday, when he scored a 58-ball 98*. In that period, Sri Lanka suffered five consecutive white-ball losses (three ODIs and two T20Is). Although it should not be the case, when Nissanka fails, Sri Lanka fails. 

“We have seen the team struggling when Pathum is not amongst the runs. The players knew it and we had discussed it. We cannot always depend on Pathum; when he delivers, it’s good, but when he fails, someone else must put his hand up and score the runs,” said Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya.

“In the batting department, the first four batters didn’t click properly. That was the key issue we were having and we were addressing it. Unfortunately, the players were getting a start and getting out. That was the problem we had. Also, we are not playing on wickets that we usually get in Pakistan; during winter it’s different—we have to adjust to it. It’s not an excuse but we should have batted well.”

“Yesterday [Tuesday], they batted differently. Pathum got a start and he continued and Kusal Mendis from the other end gave him good support to finish the match in the 17th over. That’s how it should be. The top four batters in the order are important. We always expect one of them to play a big innings. I hope we can continue that way.”

Throwing further light on the conditions the players are fighting to overcome, Jayasuriya said: “This Tri-Series was scheduled to be held in Lahore, not in Rawalpindi, where it is the winter season. Pakistan don’t play any matches in Rawalpindi during this time of the year. As a result, the conditions are totally different.”

Modern day cricket hardly allows touring teams to have side games or practice matches because of the tight international schedules. So it is imperative to acclimatise to the conditions as quickly as possible.

Sri Lanka are likely to go with an unchanged side for today’s game. (ST)