ChinmayC Blog: Pakistan Vs Sri Lanka

Lasith Malinga

Sri Lanka beat Pakistan quite easily in the final of the Asia Cup-2014 yesterday in Bangladesh and deservedly won the title for the fifth time now equaling India who crashed out this time. Sri Lanka overhauled Pakistan total of 260/5 by five wickets with 22 balls to spare. Mahela Jaywardene (75) played the first big knock of this tournament and helped a terrific Thirimanne to his century enabling Sri Lanka cruise over to victory. Man of the Match Lasith Malinga had an opening spell of fierce fast bowling mopping up top three Pakistan batsmen for just 18 runs on the board. Malinga maintained it in all his three spells taking up all the Pakistan wickets to fall with the figure 5 for 56. Put down from the start Pakistan fought bravely with two 100+ partnerships with a patient century from Fawad Alam (114 off 134 balls) and useful contributions from skipper Misbah (65 off 98) and a quicker 59 off 42 balls by keeper Umar Akmal. However, Pakistan failed to capitalize on these partnerships and fell short setting a target in excess of 275 runs. It was also inexplicable why Pakistan chose to bat first since their last two breathtaking victories had been achieved while chasing. Their major weapon of these wins, Shahid Afridi, was not pushed up in the order and finally he could not get a single ball. Perhaps the doubt over Afridi’s fitness pushed things back for Pakistan. After some thrilling and incredible cricket in the tournament the final turned out to be a tame affair. Of course not undermining the consistent dominance of Sri Lanka. The Scorecard:

Sri Lanka remained the only undefeated team in Asia Cup-2014 while hosts Bangladesh could not win even a single match despite giving running Pakistan and Sri Lanka close. India crashing out early did not have the satisfaction of at least defeating Pakistan as is expected in these parts and hardly had any plus from this tournament. Afghanistan had the supreme satisfaction of defeating a test-playing team for the first time in their cricketing history and Pakistan had only themselves to blame for not being able to take the Cup home.

The ICC World T20 Championship starts in Bangladesh from 16^th March, 2014. With all the major competitive cricketing nations involved the shortest and the most commercial format of cricket is set to hot up. India start the tournament with a blockbuster against Pakistan on 21^stMarch and with Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni coming back Team India would hope to put the bad memory of Asia Cup behind. ICC World T20 Schedule:

Pakistan win again in World Cup against Sri Lanka, for the seventh time. SL yet to win a WC match against Pak. This is a very significant win as it was achieved in SL with Lankan home crowds and typical Lankan conditions.

And the cricket was fantastic, giving the first taste of true genuine cricket of the highest order in this World Cup. SL managed to restrict Pak to a total which was achievable though difficult. Then Pak made sure SL could not win, but again SL fought hard and came very close to win it. Both teams played very intense and hard cricket. Pak showed patches of exceptional fielding too apart from batting and bowling. While Misbah excelled with the bat, Afridi was magical with the ball. SL made to struggle for runs. The crowds could not believe what they witnessed.

Now for tomorrow's big match, India Vs England. Team India is still troubled with fitness problems. Somebody said about possibility of rains! The ticket fiasco is threatening to become a scam. If only VVIPs are complemented with tickets then India should never again host a World Cup. It is because of the cricket crazy millions that cricket has become so lucrative in India for the Board, the marketers and the sponsors. If common people are forgotten in the process...well...

Let cricket win tomorrow!