By Brian Thomas
Winning the toss and electing to bat , this T 20 squad seem to show early signs of batting woes even on their own home turf. 120 for 9 Wickets is an appalling display at the international level.
The pitch was a fresh turf, Sri Lanka made three changes Lahiru Madushanka made his debut, Chandimal rested, Avishka Fernando, gets the nod, surprisingly Charith Asalanka was given the bench and Kamindu Mendis gets the nod.
Sri Lanka thanks to Kushal Perera the lonely man capable in this format nursing a hamstring injury kept the home fires burning to save face for the Sri Lankans.
Avishka Fernando looked impressive but was dismissed for 12 runs caught and bowled by Kagiso Rabada in an unexpected way when on replay it was proved far beyond doubt that it was not a bump ball. Rabada credit to him claimed the catch, Sri Lanka lost their opener with a score on 18.
Dhananjaya de Silva is proving that he is not a specialist batsman in this format. Came down the pitch Fortain , beaten on a length, and Quinton had the easiest of stumpings with the score on 19
Banuka Rajapaksha, is in trouble because in the international arena they will sort him out with short deliveries. Another poor display, he gave room to Rabada , and he cartwheeled his stumps for just 5 runs, and 3 of the 5 selected specialist batsmen back in the hutch with the home team on 28.
Kamindu Mendis and Kushal Perera took Sri Lanka to 47 for 3 wickets at the end of the power play. Mendis then batting on 10 , closed the face of his bat for Markram off-spinner and Maharaj gleefully accepted a catch at mid-wicket. Sri Lanka slumped to 62 for 4 wickets.
Kushal Mendis who made a valuable 39 was the next victim, played across the line of a Maharaj delivery that straighten and was plum in from , hence the home side dipped to 80 for 5.
Hasaranga comes and goes. Its amazing to see him bat a head of Karunaratne, he was lucky to make 5 runs, he could have been caught off the first ball he faced off Fountain , however Maharaj caught him in the cover region in the same over.
Debutant Madushanka wss run out for 1 , a schoolboy type of run out , playing the ball to backward of point and taking off without looking at his partner.
Dasun Shanaka an unimpressive 19, but thanks to Karunaratne who made 24 off 19 balls inclusive 2 big sixes, in fact, the second six off the last ball the home team made 120 for 9.
Rabada 2 for 23 , Fortain 2 for 21, and Markram 1 for 5 were very impressive.
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