That marvellous run chase
Curtain came down on the Sri Lanka-Pakistan cricket series with “Pakistan Zindabad” following a magnificent run chase of 302 in a little less than three sessions. They drew the T20 1-1, won the ODIs 3-2 and leveled the test series 1-1.
Every cricketing nation should salute this young Pakistani cricket team for keeping their country flag flying high in the world cricket arena despite the internal strife.
Right through the year they are away from their homes, families and relations. They are not in a position to play a match even in front of their own countrymen. Even Sri Lanka also faced such a situation but thanks to fine team work they eradicated that cancer and blasted them in to dust. Team work is the main cause for every success.
Following the series closely, it was evident that the Pakistanis seem to have left the worries of their country at home and were on a mission in playing cricket. It was evident every time Pakistan took the field through their body language. They were full of courage,
Courage was the key to Pakistan’s victory against Sri Lanka in the third Test
determination and they were there to reach a target. In every defeat they made the opponents work hard for the victory. After the drawn first test, Sri Lanka scored a good win in the second test and once that victory was achieved we calculated our team as the best and in some media it was introduced as coming out of age. Everyone forgot that there is another test match to be played and was dreaming of climbing up in the world cricket rankings. In every game of cricket the game is not lost or won till the last ball is bowled. As far as I am concerned Sri Lanka had only two balanced teams – the team that toured England to gain test status in 1982 and the World Cup winning team in 1996. This young Sri Lanka team is also a good one but except for the elderly cricketing statesmen the rest young crowd seems to lack application and courage.Coming back to the game, when Sri Lanka took the field on the last day of the third Test it was visible that they are in a relaxed mood thinking that neither side could force a victory. The Pakistanis had other ideas in chasing that massive target of 302 in just under three sessions and from the first ball they faced their plan seems to reach the target with least number of wickets. The openers posted a quick fire 45 runs in just 9 overs which made the Lankan skipper to go for a defensive field. Every batsman following made use of that partnership made useful contributions in achieving that target.
The Lankan three man pace attack who bowled magnificently in the previous two test matches were nowhere in line and length. On the other hand Pakistanis realized that they are batting on fifth day’s wicket and waited for loose ones and concentrated on staying at the wicket as long as they could. Opening bowlers left them off the hook by not bowling to a line and allowing the ball to do the rest. Even our most effective left-arm spinner Rangana Herath was not effective at all Pakistanis scored runs off him at their will irrespective of whether he bowled over or round the wicket. Pakistan batsmen even moved out side leg stump and placed the ball on to the off-side while the fielders were packed on the on side. Second spinner Dilruwan Perera was never introduced to the attack.
In the Lankan second innings except for top order batsmen, the middle and the lower order batsmen just gifted their wickets cheaply not realizing that they are test players playing in a test. They should understand that being a test cricketer you have reached the peak and should always put country before self.This defeat is not the end of the world for Sri Lanka. As the selectors had done a marvelous job in infusing young blood to the team and this young set of cricketers would be able to take Sri Lanka to a respectable position in the world cricketing structure within three or four years. Test cricket should be played in the best technique and traditions. That is the reason that every cricket lover rates that best cricket is being played in the ashes series between England and Australia.
It is high time that our selectors find replacements to the stalwarts as they have rendered yeoman service to the game as their time of services are limited. The cricketing administration should make plans to stage more test matches rather than encouraging the players to take part more on money spinning tournaments. It was evident that in this match most of our players are finding it difficult to get adjusted to the longer version of the game. Officials who represent Sri Lanka at the ICC meetings should voice to get more test matches rather than sitting with a begging bowl.
Cricket is a game of: C – Concentration, R – Regularly, I – Intelligence, C – Courage, K – Keenness, E – Energy, T – Temperament.