Sri Lanka under pressure in must-win game

17 January 2024 09:45 pm - 8 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By: M. Shamil Amit

Colombo, Jan. 17 (Daily Mirror) - Sri Lanka will be under pressure when they take on the underdogs Zimbabwe in the third and deciding Twenty20 International at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo tomorrow.

The series is locked 1-1 after the visitors pulled off a last-over win in the second T20I on Tuesday at the same venue.

Sri Lanka will have to produce an improved batting performance as their top order struggled in the previous match before the experienced Angelo Mathews and Charith Asalanka came to their rescue.

Despite finishing with a challenging score of 173 they failed to keep up the momentum as Craig Ervine’s top knock of 70 laid the foundation for a thrilling win.

Sri Lanka cannot afford to make the same mistakes and will be hoping that the top order comprising Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Janith and Sadeera Samarawickrema will strike form.

The bowling is also much left to be desired as Skipper Wanindu Hasaranga was forced to utilise as many as seven bowlers to curtail the Zimbabwe batsmen.

Zimbabwe on the other hand can be satisfied with their performances and their sheer commitment was visible in the dying stages of the second T20 encounter.

They showed that they had the ammunition to swing the tide in their favour and when the sixth wicket fell they were left with the daunting task of making a further 34 runs from 14 balls and they did it in style.

The players to take note will be Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe and Clive Madande who could put in another repeat of the previous encounter.

However, with the two teams in a must-win situation, another close contest is on the cards.

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Comments - 8

Bring in a bowling all rounder Thursday, 18 January 2024 12:26 AM

The problem was two batting all rounders in Mathwes

Ram Thursday, 18 January 2024 05:25 AM

Experience too matters in decisions. Captain must earmark two pace bowlers to bowl the last two overs and not a medium pacer specially when the opposing team is chasing.

Ram Thursday, 18 January 2024 05:26 AM

If we lose this match it will be shame losing for Zims at our doorstep

Labby Thursday, 18 January 2024 08:36 AM

Why isn't anything mentioned about Hasaranga's very ordinary captaincy? And even the poor fielding; with Theekshana stretching his hands up with open fingers, as if to catch a falling coconut. I wonder what Upul Chandana kept writing all through the match.

Terrence K Thursday, 18 January 2024 09:06 AM

Whilst Angelo has displayed skills in batting but as a medium pace bowler he should never have been given the nail biting last over to bowl instead it should have been given to one of the top recognized bowlers. This was the downfall of the 2nd T20 match.!!!!!!

Jude Thursday, 18 January 2024 09:35 AM

Did you watch the first Test between Aussies and WI , well the The WI last pair scored 55 runs. Now that's grit and determination!! That last pair batting against arguably the best Test bowling attack at the moment. Now if we ask our last pair to score 50 runs huh it's like asking for their kidney or Lungs, yeah!!

Nimal Nanayakkara Thursday, 18 January 2024 12:01 PM

Why don't they give a chance to Dunith Wellalage, A top order batter and a very good spinner.

Royb Thursday, 18 January 2024 03:02 PM

There is no need to be under pressure we are not novice also Zimbabwe is a weak team like us in past. Now we the best spinners capable of taking 3-4 wickets in an over so take it easy

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Sri Lanka under pressure in must-win game

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