Tactical errors cost Sri Lanka dearly

Rex Clementine in Miami

This year, Sri Lanka recorded series wins over both Bangladesh and Afghanistan in T-20 cricket. Yet, it is those two teams that are sitting pretty in the World Cup here in US. While Afghanistan stunned New Zealand, Bangladesh overcame Sri Lanka and nearly pulled off an upset win over formidable South Africa.

Such is the brutality of the T-20 format. A few errors could cost you dearly and suddenly you are under the pump facing elimination from the competition.

T-20s nature is such that you need to make decisions quickly and the wrong move could spell disaster. Babar Azam, Pakistan’s captain gambled by entrusting Mohammad Amir the Super Over during their shock defeat to USA. In hindsight, he must be thinking that Shaheen Afridi or Naseem Shah would have been the better option. He didn’t have much time to think before entrusting Amir with the crucial over.

Similarly, Mohamad Rizwan’s decision to take on Jasprit Bumrah of all people in the epic clash against India changed the outcome of that fixture and Pakistan are now doomed.

Sri Lanka do still have an outside chance provided they win their next two games – against Nepal in Miami and Netherlands in St. Lucia by handy margins. Then, they’ve got to hope that Netherlands beat Bangladesh. Possible, but the odds are many.

Sri Lanka’s decision to bat first in New York on an unknown batting strip has come under heavy flak. Yet, even after deciding to take first strike, if the team had assessed the conditions that this was not a 160 wicket but 120 would do the job, they would be breathing easy.

Too many batters got out playing flashy shots. The wicket was too paced and like Australian cricket grounds these are massive playing fields. Clearing the boundary is quite a task. Grinding, rotating the strike and converting ones into twos putting the fielders under pressure would have been the order of the day.

Bangladesh’ bowling resources aren’t challenging as South Africa’s and you expected at least in Dallas that the batters would learn the lessons. But several of them gave it away trying to clear the boundary.

Charith Asalanka so far has been given a lot of credit for the composure he shows in the middle and many have tipped him as captain in waiting. But his decision making on this tour has been shocking and disappointing.

Rohit Sharma’s bowling changes against Pakistan were quite inspiring and Wanindu Hasaranga has got a lot to learn from the Indian captain.

While the fans at home are bitterly disappointed with the outcome of the two games so far, that’s the nature of T-20 cricket. One blunder and you are staring down the barrel. Sri Lanka are a far batter side than what they have showcased. They need to bounce back. But now, everything is not in their hands.