Sri Lanka should not be complacent

The news kings of Asian cricket will be decided today after Sri Lanka play hosts to India in the grand finale of the four-nation tournament at Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.

Sri Lanka crushed India by seven wickets when the two teams met in the last game of the six-match qualifying round at the same venue two days ago. The man who inflicted the biggest blow to the Indian batting was Farveez Maharoof who had that rare honour of completing a hat-trick.

He finished with a career best figures of 5 for 42 as India were bowled out for 209 in 42.3 overs after being put into bat by Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara. Despite losing Tillakaratne Dilshan for 24 in the sixth over, Sangakkara and former captain Mahela Jayawardene shared a century run partnership as Sri Lanka had it easy.

Massacre

Following Maharoof breaking the 'roof' of Indian batting, Sangakkara joined the massacre with a sparkling knock of 73 off 82 balls and added 104 runs for the third wicket with Jayawardene, who made an unbeaten 53 off 67 balls.

But the same cannot be expected at today's final as both teams fielded second-string sides for their last league game which only be of academic interest. The Indians will be a different kettle of fish. Sri Lanka should not underestimate the Indians and take things lightly.

The Indians are born fighters and would always attempt to make a comeback. Especially in this type of an Asia Cup final, Sri Lanka should expect tough competition.

There are instances of Sri Lanka losing Asia Cup finals after winning all their qualifying round games against India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in the past. Hence, Sri Lanka should not be complacent after Tuesday's convincing win and must take today's game with a fresh approach.

After all it's a new game altogether and the previous records do not count when determining the new Asia Cup champions. The team which will play better today will be 'crowned' the new Asian cricket kings. Hence, Sri Lanka must take today's game seriously and must make every endeavour to take an early advantage.

Track record

With a perfect track record in the qualifying round and a well-knit side, Sri Lanka will go out firm favourites but they must concentrate fully to put the icing on the cake. Despite making it the final comfortably as the only unbeaten team in the Asia Cup, Sri Lanka had to survive some anxious moments in the 'curtain raiser' against Pakistan. Chasing Sri Lanka's modest target of 243, Pakistan were well set for an early win before Sri Lanka paceman Lasith Malinga upset the applecart. He came out with a magical spell of 5 for 34 in ten overs giving his team an exciting 16-run win.

Sri Lanka never looked back since then, beating Bangladesh by a massive margin of 126 runs and then India in the last leagues match on Tuesday.

The strategic location of Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium enabled Sri Lanka to host the Asia Cup at a time the Monsoon rains make it impossible to host cricket at almost all other venues.

Not only in Sri Lanka but in the entire South Asia, there was no venue to host the Asia Cup during the rainy season, except for the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium. Not only its strategic location which enables Sri Lanka to host international cricket even during rainy season, but its beautiful surroundings has attracted many toursists to the country.

Revenue

More importantly, Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium's role as the sole host venue to accommodate seven matches of the Asia Cup, brought an additional revenue of USD two million to the coffers of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). This is in addition to USD one million each paid to the participating countries.

When this success story is talked about, we cannot forget the origin of the venue.

The Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium is the brainchild of none other than veteran cricket administrator turned politician Thilanga Sumathipala.

When he embarked on that massive Rs. 400 million project when he was heading the SLC, many questioned the vulnerability and intention of building such a massive international stadium in a city such as Dambulla, far from Colombo.

But the former Asian Cricket Council chief and three-time SLC President Sumathipala had a vision and a mission to accomplish.

Even those who had been hard critics of Sumathipala now admit that the decision to construct an international stadium in a city such as Dambulla was a wise move.

Full credit should go to Parliamentarian Sumathipala for his far-sighting vision which has gifted Sri Lanka a rare chance of hosting international matches during monsoon seasons.

Young brigade

It is good to see Sri Lanka's young brigade of cricketers doing well at every given opportunity. Especially at a time when Sri Lanka is looking for suitable replacements created by retired senior players and aim at grooming a team with youth and experience for next year's ICC World Cup, it is encouraging to see our youngsters doing well.

Former Sri Lanka captain Aravinda de Silva, the new Chairman of Selectors, is making every endeavour to treat everyone on merit and groom a formidable team for the 2011 World Cup to be played in the subcontinent.

It was when the subcontinent hosted the World Cup for the first and the last time in 1996 that Sri Lanka climbed the Mount Everest of World Cricket and emerged champions besting Australia by seven wickets in the final.

De Silva, who cracked a match-winning century in that World Cup final played in Lahore on March 17, 1996, is well and truly aware of successful ingredients that are necessary to make a similar champion outfit to emulate that feat.

That is precisely why De Silva and his fellow selectors are keeping a close eye on the players so that they could identify potential Sri Lanka stars.