There is something about the R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo that makes it impossible to chase a target there. Sri Lanka and Pakistan produced a very good contest as they locked horns at the home of Lankan Cricket. Pakistan won the toss, a huge factor while playing in Sri Lanka, and had no hesitation in batting first. This game followed the general trend of the R.Premadasa Stadium that you win the toss, bat first get a good total and defend successfully.
The last time a team won chasing was in the 2009 tri series. Most of the games at the Premadasa are won by the team batting first. You win the toss and put the runs on the board and you are really hard to beat on this surface. You have to get a total over 250 which makes it really difficult to chase. Thus, the toss is a very crucial factor.
The Pakistan team approached their batting very positively. Their openers looked in very good touch and weren’t scratchy as they were against Kenya. It was a delight to watch Ahmed Shehzad walk down the ground giving the charge to the fast bowlers. When a batsman shows such positive intent it always gives the bowler something to think about. It unsettles the rhythm of the bowler and makes him try too many things. The aggressive gameplay was continued by Hafeez and Akmal as they took on the bowlers right from the word go.
The most crucial partnership of match was the one between Younis and Misbah. When three wickets were down a partnership was needed. They didn’t take any risks early on and merely took the singles. Once they got their eye in they were able to get the boundary every over. This partnership actually set up the Pakistan victory. When you look at their final total, you may feel that they were 15 or 20 runs short but as I said earlier anything over 250 on the Premadasa pitch is defendable. Murali and Kulasekara bowled some good balls at the back end of the innings that saved Lanka quite a few runs. The best thing they did was that they kept Shahid Afridi quiet for five balls. Kulasekara in particular was very good with his yorkers.
The bowling was very good from the Pakistanis but they have to really work on their fielding as they leaked quite a few runs today. The margin of victory would have been much more had they saved those runs.
When I wrote the team preview for Sri Lanka prior to the start of the tournament I mentioned that they collapse all of a sudden at times. In the post match press conference Kumar Sangakkara pointed out that the top order collapse is what led to the Lankan defeat. Dilshan and Tharanga started well although I think they consumed too many balls early on. They accelerated later on but then both were dismissed in quick succession. Jayawardene and Samaraweera didn’t last long and this added more pressure on the Lankans. Sangakkara, Silva and Kulasekara fought hard but it wasn’t good enough as Pakistan kept getting the wickets. Sri Lanka have to look at a few areas. Firstly they have to see to it that such collapses don’t happen time and again. Secondly, they have to play Malinga in the coming matches. He is being rested to avoid aggravation of a niggle but this is the time I think he should come in to provide more teeth to the attack.
Tomorrow is a big game for the Indian fans. England will take on India after their successful ashes campaign. India would be looking to continue their winnings streak against England at home. The last time these two teams met at Bangalore for an ODI was in the year 2008. In the rain reduced game, India emerged victorious and sealed the series in the process. England would like to change the trend this time around.
Both teams should retain the elevens they fielded in their respective first games. However, I think India should make one change by getting in Ashish Nehra in place of S Sreesanth. We know what Nehra did when the two teams met in a World Cup game the last time. It is just the occasion that may inspire Nehra and bring the best out of him. England would be a bit concerned about their bowling as it didn’t look very good against the Netherlands. They can get Yardy to replace Bopara as it would provide them with the extra spinning option.
A lot of mind games have taken place between the two teams. The England team want to spoil the Indian party and silence the crowds. Dhoni has warned England of Sehwag. The battle has begun but the real action will take place on the field. No predictions on this one.
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