AFG vs SL | Takeaways: Sri Lanka’s sudden show of grit and Afghanistan’s wrong “short ball” approach

06/04/2019

Sri Lanka finally brought an end to their losing streak against Afghanistan and a Nuwan Pradeep magical spell helped the team from the Emerald Isle open their account in the World Cup. Sri Lanka’s sudden show of grit and spirit in the last phase of the game was the major takeaway from the game.

Why Afghanistan’s approach was wrong from the beginning

Cardiff had a decent covering of grass on it and pacers were licking their lips at the prospect of having yet another ball day in Wales. Sri Lanka had the first-hand understanding of the surface having played their first game against New Zealand where pacers dismantled them altogether. However, Afghanistan seemed to have gotten carried away with the trend of short bowling and failed to take the benefit from the surface.

Consider Hamid Hasan for example. Despite having the ability to move the ball sideways, Hassan retorted to a rather conventional approach of bowling short balls at the start of the innings. His pace, coupled with his short balls, resulted in Kusal Perera pulling him with elan, and the movement, against which he susceptible in the last game, was no more there.

Dawlat Zardan also didn’t show much charisma of his own and his lack of pace ensured the Sri Lankan top-order getting off a great start, even though Mohamed Nabi triggered one of the worst collapses in the World Cup history after that. Things could’ve been much better for Afghanistan had not let their foot off the pedal and analysed their strength better.

Can Afghanistan openers be better in understanding their game

Afghanistan is a great story and every time, they come to the field, a smile would invariably break out on your face. But that can only take them to a point and more in-depth look at cricket is needed considering the way modern-day cricket is going. With pinch hitters like Mohammad Shahzad and Hazratullah Zazai at the top, they are having two risky cricketers at the top who have no clue about how much cricket has evolved over the last few years.

Even in the context of today’s target, they had a good chance of making a short work of the run chase and the key was with the top order. Nuwan Pradeep was bowling well but the other two pacers Lasith Malinga and Suranga Lakmal were not in the control of the proceedings. Had Shahzad and Zazai overcome that phase and didn’t get dismissed by playing reckless shots, the middle-order would have better placed in the run chase.

As a matter of fact, Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi are good enough and can also bide time if needed but it is also equally true that they thrive on confidence. If the top-order can do well, that will go a long way in determining how well they are going to play. As Shahzad and Zazai were back on the hut, Afghanistan followed suit, reminding the Indian fans of their time when the dismissal of Sachin Tendulkar would have triggered a similar pattern.

Sri Lanka, you need this spirit

Sri Lankan cricket’s plight in the last few years has been well documented. A team that was statistically the most consistent team in the year between 2007 and 2015 - reaching five ICC finals and two semi-finals - just didn’t show up in the last few years. The sense of pride and kindred spirit among the Sri Lankan fans is on a decline but today’s performance somehow restored it, albeit it came against an opposition that they are expected to beat.

Even yesterday, Malinga had harsh words for his team, saying that they have moved from one defeat to another in recent times without learning any lessons and how it is the time, they should “feel the shame of losing” as that is the only way they can learn a lesson in their life. When he bowled those two balls to clean up the Afghan tail, he was walking the talk and showing what they have got.

The moment, the section of Sri Lankan fans in the stadium started celebrating felt a bit surreal and the voice of Kumar Sangakkara, sitting in the commentary box, seemed a bit happier. For the longest time, once the dynasty ended, the Lankans had to make do with a little good cricket from their team, but the last 15-20 overs, after Afghanistan lost three wickets, the players also became very active in the field - something they need to keep up which will help them be in the better side of the result more often.