Despite the shock, horror, disbelief and dejection that seem to pour into cyber space of Sri Lankan fans, simply the inevitable happened. It should have been suspected if not predicted. It is no secret that Bangladesh walked into Shere Bangla Stadium as the favorites against the defending champions and they just lived up to it. Sri Lanka's plight in the hands of Bangladeshis was felt even in the wisdom words of Andrew Fidel Fernando as he wrote the match preview. In fact, if not for injured Malinga even UAE would have done that.
Let me free myself from the burden of going to much detail by stating the fact that I did not watch it. Timezone differences avoided my chances of instant disappointment. But a mere look at the scorecard and commentary tells many stories.
It was a jumble of line ups, disarrangement instead of order, an effort to pile the bigger boxes on the top of the smaller one. Unavoidably the blame has to be addressed to stand-in captain.
For an example, how he lost the advantage of 2/2 and 3/26 by bowling part-time spinners. Was Angelo expecting the Bangladesh batsmen to get fed up boundary-less overs and walk away retiring out? Otherwise why didn't he keep on the attack? What was the reason behind holding Chameera until 14th over which was his last chance to ball full 4 overs? Is Angelo feeling fatherly love that Chameera might get injured or something? As it is obvious Bangladeshis had only one batsman making more than half of runs. So the collapse may have been a single wicket away and had he tried Chameera before that would just be the case.
Jumbles of line up was found in batting line too. Thisara Perera was sent in as no 5 when we needed another 71 runs at little more than 8 runs per over. All what they needed was to have a long staying batsman, who can keep close to the rate - stability not uncertainty and fire power. Similarly when power was needed Chamara Kapugedara failed to deliver the much needed sixes at the end. Just swap them, Kapugedara could have provided the stability on which Tisara may attack when the gap is tiny.
Perhaps they are researching the combinations. If so I'd say Shehan at no 3 looks good.
You cannot put whole blame on Angelo. Chandimal+Shehan duo have kept 7th to 11th overs boundary-less, where the collapse was responsible for similarly boundary-less stretch of 11th to 17th. How many T20s can be won with such defects? Some players like Thisara Perera have to prove what they are worth. Suddenly the all rounder looks a burden in all aspects.
Behind the fall of Sri Lanka what shines is the beautiful game that Bangladeshis played. Bangladesh shows the same path that Sri Lanka took to stand in front of Mrs Bhutho in 1996. Mind ya that we were regarded as a minnow before that. It is a hope that Bangladesh may reach stars in the same way.
That is why you gotta give it the due credit. You've gotta understand that this was NOT an upset win. That Bangladeshis are yet another equally able team deserving right respect. They have been playing good cricket. I think, it is time for all of us to accept the rising cricket star, and be humble and graceful in congratulating them for their win over Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile Sri Lanka has to take the snake right on its head. They have no other way but to beat the best two teams if they wanna defend the title - run past the gladiator lines of Amirs, Ashwins, Kohlis and Afridis. It is not impossible, but the level of incompetence that appears in every corner suggests otherwise.
Let me free myself from the burden of going to much detail by stating the fact that I did not watch it. Timezone differences avoided my chances of instant disappointment. But a mere look at the scorecard and commentary tells many stories.
It was a jumble of line ups, disarrangement instead of order, an effort to pile the bigger boxes on the top of the smaller one. Unavoidably the blame has to be addressed to stand-in captain.
For an example, how he lost the advantage of 2/2 and 3/26 by bowling part-time spinners. Was Angelo expecting the Bangladesh batsmen to get fed up boundary-less overs and walk away retiring out? Otherwise why didn't he keep on the attack? What was the reason behind holding Chameera until 14th over which was his last chance to ball full 4 overs? Is Angelo feeling fatherly love that Chameera might get injured or something? As it is obvious Bangladeshis had only one batsman making more than half of runs. So the collapse may have been a single wicket away and had he tried Chameera before that would just be the case.
Jumbles of line up was found in batting line too. Thisara Perera was sent in as no 5 when we needed another 71 runs at little more than 8 runs per over. All what they needed was to have a long staying batsman, who can keep close to the rate - stability not uncertainty and fire power. Similarly when power was needed Chamara Kapugedara failed to deliver the much needed sixes at the end. Just swap them, Kapugedara could have provided the stability on which Tisara may attack when the gap is tiny.
Perhaps they are researching the combinations. If so I'd say Shehan at no 3 looks good.
You cannot put whole blame on Angelo. Chandimal+Shehan duo have kept 7th to 11th overs boundary-less, where the collapse was responsible for similarly boundary-less stretch of 11th to 17th. How many T20s can be won with such defects? Some players like Thisara Perera have to prove what they are worth. Suddenly the all rounder looks a burden in all aspects.
Behind the fall of Sri Lanka what shines is the beautiful game that Bangladeshis played. Bangladesh shows the same path that Sri Lanka took to stand in front of Mrs Bhutho in 1996. Mind ya that we were regarded as a minnow before that. It is a hope that Bangladesh may reach stars in the same way.
That is why you gotta give it the due credit. You've gotta understand that this was NOT an upset win. That Bangladeshis are yet another equally able team deserving right respect. They have been playing good cricket. I think, it is time for all of us to accept the rising cricket star, and be humble and graceful in congratulating them for their win over Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile Sri Lanka has to take the snake right on its head. They have no other way but to beat the best two teams if they wanna defend the title - run past the gladiator lines of Amirs, Ashwins, Kohlis and Afridis. It is not impossible, but the level of incompetence that appears in every corner suggests otherwise.
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