Sri Lanka should seriously consider fifth bowler option

• Have failed to defend totals, resulting in losses

Dasun Shanaka addressing the post-match media conference following the match against Bangladesh

DUBAI: Sri Lanka will have to seriously reconsider their fifth bowler option following the four-wicket defeat they suffered at the hands of Bangladesh in the first Asia Cup Super Four game, played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Their strategy of playing a 7-4 combination paid off well in Zimbabwe, where they won the T20I series 2-1, and in the first three group matches of the Asia Cup. Of the five out of six occasions they have won, Sri Lanka chased down the runs, but on two occasions – against Zimbabwe in the second T20I and against Bangladesh in the Super Four – Sri Lanka lost.

This is an area of concern, as Sri Lanka have shown they are unable to successfully defend totals. The main problem lies with the fifth bowling option, where Sri Lanka are trying to cover up the four overs with part-time bowlers. It may have worked when they put the opposition into bat or when the opposition decided to bat first. But when defending, they have been poor.

Sri Lanka used Dasun Shanaka and Kamindu Mendis as their fifth bowling option against Bangladesh. Although Shanaka responded with two wickets for 21, Kamindu was hit for 16 runs in the only over he bowled, which more or less was the game changer.

Shanaka said: “We have been talking about the fifth bowling option for some time, although we have been playing a 7-4 combination. We know the importance of playing a fifth bowler when you are defending a total. I hope the selectors, Captain, and Coach will look into this area and play five bowlers in future matches.”

Sri Lanka’s next Super Four game is against Pakistan at Abu Dhabi tomorrow.

“But more than the fifth bowling option, I think it was the execution that was lacking,” continued Shanaka. “In previous matches, Nuwan Thushara and Dushmantha Chameera bowled wicket to wicket and got wickets. Both of them could not reproduce that performance yesterday. What we always think is that if the opening bowlers can get us early wickets, it will always be an advantage to our spinners. Saif (Hassan) played a good innings and this can happen at times. We lost because of the small mistakes we made.”

Defending his Captain Charith Asalanka, Shanaka said that it was not a wrong decision to bring on Kamindu Mendis to bowl at that stage.

“Kamindu has bowled in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and his ability to bowl with both arms is valuable. If Kamindu had taken two wickets, you wouldn’t be looking at the negative side of things. There is always a chance. We always try to get the maximum out of each player. I don’t think the decision taken by the Captain was a wrong one. Kamindu is experienced enough to bowl at any time he is asked.”

Shanaka said that initially, they thought it was a 160+ wicket, but while batting, they came to realise that 180 was gettable.

“We could not get to 180 because of the way Bangladesh bowled the final two overs. We had that momentum going but unfortunately, after Charith got out, we lost some momentum. Fiz (Mustafizur Rahman) and Taskin (Ahmed) bowled the last couple of overs really well. That’s why we ended with 168. It was a difference of two boundaries. But I think we could have still defended 169.”

It was Shanaka’s knock of 64* off 37 balls that gave Sri Lanka the impetus to get to 168-7 after he was promoted to no. 5.

“I have been given the confidence to play at the top. If I can do the damage from the top downwards, we can make a big impact. I played an impact innings today but we couldn’t capitalise in the last two overs, that’s why we missed out. If we are to get a big total, the team can make use of me. I am thankful that I was given the opportunity to bat at the top.”