Lankans must go hard at the Pakistanis again

A blockbuster on the cards at R.Premadasa Stadium today:

Elmo RODRIGOPULLE reporting

A blockbuster. That is what this third game in the best of five one-day internationals between Sri Lanka and Pakistan is going to be at the R.Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, beginning at 2.30 p.m. today.

Pakistan strolled to victory in the first game and Sri Lanka came back with a vengeance to pocket the second game and square the series at the Pallekelle International Stadium.

The team that can ride the pressure, perform the simple things right in this format of the game will win and take an all-important lead that will inspire them in the remaining two games.

Ruthless

When the Sri Lankan cricketers seemed to be losing their will to win, they came back fighting and displayed the ruthlessness associated with their play and played the way we know they can to humiliate the Pakistanis by a big margin of 76 runs.

Skipper Mahela Jayawardena won the all important toss and gave the Lankan batsmen first lease of the wicket that had even bounce with the ball coming sweetly on to the bat.

In this style of game which attracts the crowd, it is paramount that a wicket is prepared where there will be help for the batsmen as well as bowlers so that a nail-biting contest is witnessed.

Full quota

It is hoped that a wicket fit for this style of game is prepared and that the game will last the full quota of overs and it is hoped that the weather will stay fine and that the dreaded pair of Duckworth and Lewis would not be called into play.

Sri Lanka now that they have the Pakistanis in a spot, must not let them wriggle out of it, but stay focused and they must hit hard from the first ball and bring them down.

There is no doubt that the Lankans under the inspiring leadership of Mahela Jayawardena is the better side. He leads from the front and by example and is able to get the best out from each member of the team.

Same eleven

The Lankans who lost the first game did right in not tinkering with the team, but gave them the confidence by persisting with the same eleven. It is certain that the same eleven will take the field.

In the previous game after openers Tillekeratne Dlshan and Upul Tharanga had given the team a solid start and after Dilshan and Dinesh Chandimal had consolidated, Jayawardena joined his former opening partner and together they knocked the daylights out the opposing bowlers with some demoralizing hitting.

It was nice to see Dilshan batting in the form he is capable of. He must give continuity to that form and make a big score again. Dinesh Chandimal seems to be getting back into form. He will do better if he can curb his impetuosity.

Confidence

It is time for Kumar Sangakkara to get back into the run making habit. He seems to be lacking in confidence which has affected his concentration. But he is experienced enough to get out of that rut.

Maybe this is the game he has been waiting for.

Vice Captain Angelo Mathews and Lahiru Thirimanne must also chip in with big runs. Mathews seems to be concentrating on his bowling and neglecting his batting. He must perform as an all rounder.

That strongly built all rounder Thisara Perera is the cynosure of all eyes when he bats, fields and comes on to bowl. With the bat he can blast any attack, on the field he can pluck match winning catches and when he bowls baffle batsmen with his movement and well disguised slow ball.

Encouraging

It was encouraging to note the confidence coach Graham Ford and Captain Jayawardena have in Perera. No cricketer should be labeled one-day player or a Test player. He must be given the chance to play in all formats and showcase his talent.

With the game lacking in all rounders, Sri Lanka will do well to persist with Perera in the longer version of the game too for him to mature, gain the experience and be a permanent fixture in all forms of cricket.

New ball bowlers Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulesekera have delivered and must continue the good work.

Rangana Herath must be used as an attacking option.

Crumble

As for the Pakistanis they seem to crumble under pressure. Mohammed Hafeez as opener as failed to bat like he usually does. Azhar Ali was unfortunate and failed by four runs to notch up his maiden century.

Younis Khan seems to be struggling, so are Sahid Afridi and Umar Akmal. The only batsman playing with a semblance of confidence is skipper Misbah-Ul-Haq.

Their bowling is tight with Umar Gul and Sohail Tanvir bowling with discipline.

In Rahat Ali they have a promising left arm medium pacer who shows good potential and if persisted with should serve Pakistan cricket with success in the future.

But the greatest disappointment has been the cunning off spinner Saeed Ajmal.

He is completely off form and it has fallen on Mohamed Hafeez to do the spinner’s job.A great game of 50-over cricket is on the cards.