Sri Lanka will be looking to level the three-match series when they meet Pakistan in the second T20 International at Rawalpindi today, after the hosts secured a four-wicket win with seven deliveries to spare in the opening game on Friday. To achieve that objective, Sri Lanka may have to improve their approach to maximising the [...]
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On Friday, Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat but soon found themselves at 18 for two midway through the fourth over. Opener Lahiru Udara and Kamindu Mendis then staged a recovery that eventually helped the visitors post a challenging total of 182 for eight. Udara’s 55-ball 91 was the mainstay of the innings, but Pakistan chased down the target, reaching 187 for six with seven deliveries to spare.
Sri Lanka’s failure to settle into their innings and establish control during the powerplay proved costly, particularly given Pakistan’s dominance in that phase of the game.
The visitors struggled to find their rhythm, with too many mistimed shots and missed opportunities. Opener Kamil Mishara’s desperation was evident as he faced nine deliveries before getting off the mark. Udara, too, initially struggled to find his bearings but eventually found some support from Kamindu Mendis and Dasun Shanaka, while the other batters once again failed to make meaningful contributions.
Sri Lanka’s recent T20I results have been disappointing, not because of a lack of talent but because of inconsistency and an overly extravagant approach. If they are serious about reshaping their T20I combination into a ruthless unit, the ongoing Pakistan tour offers an ideal opportunity to demonstrate that ambition. Yet, they appear to be repeatedly falling back on the same shortcomings that have undermined their performances.
Pakistan, meanwhile, have endured a difficult spell in recent times and are on the verge of a rebuilding process. If Sri Lanka fail to realise their potential by adopting a more calculated approach rather than pursuing aggression without sufficient returns, they will only be helping Pakistan make further progress in that rebuilding process.
Sri Lanka may have made the right decisions in the opening game, but they failed to deliver when it mattered most. It may have been just another day and another match, but fortune rarely favours a side that does not work hard to create its own opportunities. Pakistan did exactly that in the first game and may field the same side today in an attempt to repeat the feat.
Sri Lanka may not necessarily need to make changes to their playing XI, but a change in attitude and approach is essential in a demanding format that requires consistency and precision across all departments.
Print Edition – The Sunday Times, Sri Lanka
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