Sri Lanka lost to Bangladesh. Sri Lanka needed Muttiah Muralitharan to bail them out in a tri series that also involved Zimbabwe. Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene has expressed concern over his own form in the one day internationals. And they messed it in the going against Pakistan.
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Fatigue may be one reason to explain Sri Lanka’s recent performances which have been far from convincing. In fact, yesterday first one day international in Pakistan showed how Sri Lanka have found their own vulnerable spots and have become susceptible.
It is hard to imagine any team from a position of none for seventy-one to be all out for 219 with nearly five overs to spare. Yet Sri Lanka fell dismally after quick wickets of openers of Tillkeratne Dilshan and Sanath Jayasuriya who uptil then were leaving Pakistan feeling rather clueless. But thereafter the Sri Lankan collapse, Umar Gul’s three wickets notwithstanding, was inexplicable.
The contrast showed itself when Pakistan came out to bat. The hesitation was not on show and the offensive clear and practical. Khurram Manzoor and Salman Butt put on a rock solid opening partnership of 168 with the former missing his century by seventeen runs. But Butt raced to his 100 as Pakistan reached Sri Lanka’s target rather comfortably with eight wickets in hands another almost five overs still for taking.
First blood drawn in cricket starved Pakistan not seen cricket since Asia Cup last June, but Sri Lanka are facing some rather uncomfortable questions.
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