12.53 PM Thursday, 28 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:57 06:11 12:27 15:53 18:37 19:51
28 March 2024

Sri Lanka on brink of World T20 crowning glory

Published
By Colombo Allaam Ousman

Sri Lankans are gearing up for the biggest party since 1996 as Mahela Jayawardena and his merry band of cricketers are just one win away from being crowned World Twenty20 champions.

Having sealed their place in the final with a clinical performance against former champions Pakistan in an intriguing semifinal at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Thursday, Jayawardena is on the threshold of emulating Arjuna Ranatunga who led Sri Lanka to its first and only World Cup triumph.

It is arguable whether Ranatunga's monumental achievement against tremendous odds which culminated by humbling the mighty Australians in Lahore, Pakistan, could ever stand comparison.

Apart from being a condensed format of the 50-over game, Twenty20 is considered cowboy cricket by purists of the sport.

Even Ranatunga abhors Twenty20 largely because of the evil influence of IPL (Indian Premier League) which he claims has created a monster where players sometimes choose riches above serving country.

Nonetheless, Ranatunga's iconic status in Sri Lanka's cricket folklore, is assured despite being an opposition politician.

Another southpaw Kumar Sangakkara perhaps came closest to really emulating Ranatunga's feat when he led Sri Lanka to the finals of the 50-over World Cup last year but succumbed to the pressure of playing against hosts India.

Jayawardena, who scored a century in Mumbai on that fateful day, has endured the disappointment of playing in two other major finals without success.

Sri Lanka were battered by Adam Gilchrist in 2007 in the Caribbean while Pakistan beat them in the second World Twenty20 final in 2009 held in England.

Jayawardena may have gained some measure of revenge for that defeat but he will be acutely aware that nothing short of a World Cup triumph will whet the appetite of a nation hungry for success after falling at the last hurdle on three previous occasions.

Sri Lankans fans are almost taking it for granted that the trophy is theirs for the taking and will not settle for anything less going by the frenzy of expectation which is likely to reach a crescendo on Sunday when they take on either Australia or West Indies in the final.

With tickets being sold out online, purchasing a ticket to watch the match at the stadium has become impossibility unless you are willing to buy it at ridiculous prices on the black.

However, this has not dampened the enthusiasm of Sri Lankans to enjoy the proceedings either at home, club and community venues by putting up giant screens.

One such venue in Colombo which is famous for rugby, drew a massive crowd of more than 10,000 spectators who enjoyed the match in a carnival-like atmosphere.

Jayawardena for his part is relishing the prospect of savouring glory in front of his adoring fans especially in Colombo where he played much of his cricket displaying his precocious talents even as a schoolboy.

Although sporting fame is a double-edged sword, the 35-year old veteran of the game who came back on his own terms after relinqushing the captaincy, is undeterred by challenges even in life despite being devastated by the loss of his brother to a degenerative disease years ago.

"It means a great deal, great support from the fans," said the Sri Lanka captain, denying the team was under pressure from the fans to win their first World Twenty20 title.

"I think like everyone said it's not pressure for us. It's like our 12th man, pretty much cheering us up. It's been great to perform like this in front of a great crowd."

He is a man with a mission prepared to carve his own destiny and is at the peak of his career.

Apart from being in prolific form in the tournament, leading the way with a 36-ball 42 in the semifinal, almost every move he has made has brought rich dividends.

A street-smart cricketer, his decision to drop birthday boy Akila Dananjaya to accommodate Rangana Herath, is considered a master stroke.

Unorthodox spinner Dananjaya turned 19 on Thursday only to be told 34-year-old left-arm spinner Herath would replace him in the playing XI against Pakistan.

Much to Jayawardena's relief, Herath celebrated his return with a deadly three-wicket haul that helped Sri Lanka win the match by 16 runs.

"That was a tough call," Jayawardena told reporters.

"(It was) Akila's birthday today as well. He was utterly disappointed when I told him he is not playing. You should have seen his face.

"But we felt that the two experienced spinners would guide us through today."

"Ajantha and Herath did the job well for us. So you have to make some tough calls sometimes. I am quite happy that it did pay off for me," said Jayawardena.

Jayawardena said Pakistan's poor record against left-arm spinners tilted the scale in Herath's favour.

"They (Pakistan) have about seven right-handed batsmen. So we had to take a decision to play Rangana. He is an experienced bowler. I think he fulfilled what we required today," Jayawardena said.

"He has been brilliant against Pakistan. I think if you take his career he has always tormented them and obviously Pakistan has a history against left-arm spin."

Defending a modest total of 139 is not easy against a dangerous Pakistan batting line-up.

Jayawardena's faith in his attack and his astute leadership came to the fore as he rang in the changes, even giving a bowl to Thisara Perera who had been hardly used in the tournament.

The only blemish in Sri Lanka's performance was their lack of sharpness on the field most notably by Lasith Malinga.

When he grassed a skier from Pakistan skipper Muhammad Hafeez who top scored with 42, even Tony Greig quipped whether Malinga had dropped the World Cup for Sri Lanka.

Fortunately, Herath outfoxed Hafeez, while Malinga atoned for his lapses with his immaculate bowling particularly in the death overs.

Malinga has been under a cloud in the eyes of Sri Lankan fans because of his allegiance to Mumbai Indians and his loyalty to IPL.

Even a career-best Twenty20 performance against England in the Super Eights failed to clear the air.

However, Sri Lankans might yet forgive the pace ace if he comes up with something special on Sunday.