The unstoppable Kumar Sangakkara proved the difference between the two sides when with a swashbuckling 76 in 102 balls he piled on vs the aggressive Afganistan in the Asia Cup 2014.
It was predicted to be a one-sided match, irrespective of some brilliant performances of Afghanistan in the other night against the host. Tall strong lads from both ends just demolished the top order of Bangladesh there. They really came at the Sri Lankans, so that even the informed aggressive batsman, Kusal Perera had two minds when going for shots.
Lahiru Tirimanne who opened the batting with Perera was the first to go playing one on by Shapoor Zadarn the Afghan pacie in the mould of the aggressive Pakistanis. Perera struggled for timing on the slowish pitch and was bowled by Mirwais Ashraf for 33 in 49 balls slow by his standards.
Mahela Jayawardena who always finds it so easy to keep to a run a ball slumped further in form when he scored 14 in 14 balls. He was caught by Mohamed Nabi off Ashraf and Sri Lanka were in trouble 83 for 3 in the 21st over. Chandimal walked in to the crease and it would have been a great opportunity for the Sri Lankan young vice-captain to show what he is capable of, despite his bad patch in last few months. Once more, he got out before surpassing the thirty run mark, disappointing Sri Lankan fans yet again. Afghanistan was having a dream start to this match, coming after a historical win.
Yet again the veteran Sangakkara stood up and helped to build a winning total for Sri Lanka by showing that he is in the form of his life. Angelo Mathews who is cool as a cucumber nowadays, put up a great partnership with Sangakkara, as they showed the class of Sri Lankan Cricket over the inexperienced but very impressive Afghanistani attack. Sangakkara was run out after a stop-start escapade with Mathews who called him for a run and sent him back leaving him stranded on his way to another century. Chathuranga de Silva, the young prospect of Sri Lankan spinning all around department, could not impress his viewers with that bat; as he failed for 17, when he was going nicely. Thisara Perera’s 19 in 23 balls an uncharacteristic but useful knock, helped Sri Lanka to leave the ‘new Asian rivals’ to chase 253. Mathews remained not out having played a captains knock for 45 in 41 balls taking Sri Lanka home after the initial slump.
Shapoor Zadran was impressive with his bowling but did not find the deadly form he did against Bangladesh. Meanwhile Afghanistanese really missed Hamid Hassan, who got a hamstring injury during the last match and was not fit to this match.
During the Afghanistan’s cause of chasing, Mohammad Shahzad showed his immaturity, as he tried to hit every ball up until he got bowled by Suranga Lakmal, who is becoming Sri Lanka’s premier paceman in all formats of the game. Afghanistani fans were buoyed when Stanikzai walked in to the crease, the match winner from the bat for them in the other night. With the introduction of Mendis’s spin and Thisara’s pace, life did become quite tricky for Afghanistani batsmen. Mendis bagged his first wicket from a carom ball and Thisara sent Stanikzai off immediately with a good length delivery which completely undone the right hander. Ajantha Mendis proved to be the mystery spinner yet again and the Afgans played him with caution. His figures of 3 wickets for 11 runs in 7 overs told the story.
Mohammad Nabi, the Afghanistan skipper showed his talent, while the wickets were tumbling at the other end. His timing and placement was on par with any of the batsmen in the world. He took on Lasith Malinga in an over dishing out a six and a four with audacity. Nabi was ruled out LBW against the left arm orthodox of young Silva and it was the end of the final hope for Afghanistan. Angelo Mathews showed his temperament as a solid skipper, by bringing his strike bowlers from one end; exposing the young spinner Chathuranga to get some familiarity at International level from the other end. The 2nd half of Afghanistani line up got out cheaply by offering Sri Lanka a 129 run victory and more importantly a bonus point to top the table.
Sri Lanka have already made the Asian Cup 2014 final; subsequently now they have the luxury of resting some players for the next preliminary round match and are able to give some match practice for the fellows on the bench. India lost their final hope for staying in the series as Pakistan and Sri Lanka are likely to meet in the final on 8th March.
