Losing a series with a game to spare often comes with the need for a lot of introspection, even if it is in a format that wouldn’t be much relevant in the immediate future. Sri Lanka’s pondering should begin with the woes in their batting lineup. Even the absence of a player like Wanindu Hasaranga can’t be enough of an excuse for how their top and middle order fared in the first two T20Is.
Batters letting the side down
In the second T20I, the top six batters only accounted for 68 runs and mind you, this was a game where they were chasing a 216-run total. Since their elimination from the T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka have averaged the worst, among all full-member nations, with the bat in T20Is. In 10 games, they have averaged a little over 15 with a strike rate of just 117.
And this has reflected consistently in their results. This year their win tally stands at just 6, two of which came against Oman and Ireland, compared to 16 losses. This does point towards a pattern, and one that they seemed to realise before coming to Pakistan. A new captain and a few new faces were the result of that.
And even though one series win, that too an away one, doesn’t put them at a point of no return, that it came against a Pakistan side struggling in its own right makes things worrisome.
There remains a myriad of things for Sri Lanka that need to be resolved, but they will have to start doing that by averting the looming whitewash in Rawalpindi. They seemingly do not have anything to lose, but their bewilderment with the bat shouldn’t be one of those things.
Weather and Pitch Report
The surface in the second T20I was flatter than the opening game and is expected to become more batting-friendly for the final game. Pacers grabbed six of the 10 wickets that fell in the previous game and their effect could further increase.
Bowling first did not bring Sri Lanka the results they were looking for, with dew underplaying its role. But the safer option would still be to let the other team bat away whatever resistance the deck will show against batters in the first few overs of the game.
Where to Watch
The three-game T20I series can be streamed online on Tapmad, Fancode App, PTV app, ThePapare 1 & 1 HD, and Dialog Play App.
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