The cricket series between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan has come to an end. The series consisted of seven matches, including one test, three one-day internationals (ODIs), and three T20 matches.
Sri Lanka effortlessly showcased its dominance by winning the test match with a convincing margin of 209 runs. Furthermore, Sri Lanka displayed their superiority by winning all three ODIs comprehensively.
However, in the T20 series, Sri Lanka could not maintain its winning streak, losing one out of the three matches. Despite their best efforts, Sri Lanka could not win the T20 tournament completely.
Afghanistan preserves its pride
Afghanistan could narrowly avoid the embarrassment of losing the entire three-match T20 series by winning the final match by just three runs. On the other hand, Sri Lanka missed the chance to achieve a record by failing to win the last T20 match.
If they had won all the matches in the tournament, they would have been able to whitewash an international team in Sri Lanka.
The new selection committee
Sri Lanka was determined not to lose any matches in their series against Afghanistan due to their recent poor performance in cricket. The conflict between the cricket administration and the former sports minister had been a significant problem.
Additionally, Sri Lanka’s position in the World Cup had dropped significantly, with Afghanistan now ranked higher. As a result, Sri Lanka aimed to defeat Afghanistan completely.
A new selection committee, led by veteran cricketer Upul Tharanga, was appointed to select the team with innovative choices. Although there are some weaknesses, the committee has made high-quality choices overall.
A good tournament
The match between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka was highly anticipated by cricket fans worldwide. Both teams played exceptionally well throughout the tournament, but the final t20 match between the two teams ended in controversy.
In the last over of the match, Afghanistan fast bowler Wafadar Momand sent a beamer ball, which the leg umpire, Lyndon Hannibal, did not call a no-ball. This decision had a massive impact on the match’s outcome as Sri Lanka required only 19 runs to win, and their star batsman, Kamindu Mendis, was at the crease then.
Mendis was visibly unhappy with the decision and asked Hannibal to reconsider his call, but he refused to change his decision and did not consult with the head umpire. This caused a lot of frustration amongst the Sri Lankan players and fans, who felt that the umpire’s decision had unfairly influenced the match.
A beamer that should be a no-ball
Wafadar Momand sent a ball that went above the batsman’s waist. This is known as a beamer ball and is considered dangerous in the game of cricket.
According to the International Cricket Council’s Law 41.7, a full toss sent above the batsman’s waist when they are on the crease should be considered a no-ball. This law does not mention any requirement for the batsman to stay in their crease.
It is worth noting that even if the batter advances out of their crease and hits the ball, the umpire should determine whether the batter was in the crease when the ball went above their waist.
If the batter was on the crease when the ball was bowled and it went above their waist, it should automatically be deemed a no-ball.
Therefore, in this case, it was clear that the ball sent by Wafadar Momand was a beamer ball and should have been considered a no-ball by the umpire.
Lyndon Hannibal
The leg umpire, Lyndon Hannibal, made a questionable decision. He did not make the right call, and why he chose not to is unclear. He must explain his reasoning.
As the leg umpire, Lyndon Hannibal was in the wrong position during the incident. Typically, the leg umpire should stand behind the batter when they’re in a striking position.
They should have a clear view of the entire area around the stump at a distance, allowing them to see with both eyes. This is necessary for giving an accurate run-out decision. Additionally, the umpire should stay directly at the crease where the batter is hitting the ball.
However, in this case, when the no-ball was sent, Lyndon Hannibal was not in the right place. He was positioned in the batting crease at an angle of at least 10 degrees, a few feet from where he should have been.
This makes it impossible to make a correct decision. As an expert umpire, Lyndon Hannibal should have known this simple fact.
Hannibal has given such wrong decisions in the previous match with England.
Umpires also make mistakes
In cricket, it is common for umpires to make errors while making decisions or judgements. These errors could be due to various reasons, such as the speed of the game, the position of the umpire, or even human error.
However, these mistakes can have a significant impact on the outcome of the match. Many cricket matches have been decided by such decisions, making it crucial for umpires to be as accurate as possible.
Despite this, it is accepted that mistakes are a natural part of the game, and umpires are often given the benefit of the doubt.
What Captain Hasaranga did was wrong
Vanidu Hasaranga, the skipper, acted in an unacceptable manner by criticising the umpire in the press conference after the match. As a leader, he should maintain a certain level of professionalism and not engage in such behaviour.
According to the International Cricket Council’s rules, such behaviour falls under the level two offence.
Discipline is a crucial element in sports and should apply to everyone, regardless of their position in the team. Players who commit undisciplined acts should be punished, whether the captain or an ordinary player.
Sri Lankan cricket has been in disrepair for some time now. It is essential for all cricketers to understand that the umpire’s decision is final, and players have no right to challenge those decisions, either on or off the field.
In addition to the team captain, all players should learn how to conduct themselves in a press conference. The Sri Lankan team has faced similar situations recently, highlighting the need for improved professionalism.
Leadership must be learnt
It is crucial to acknowledge that while some players possess natural talent, not all of them do. Moreover, it is essential to recognise that not every talented player can lead a team.
Leadership requires unique qualities, such as the ability to inspire and motivate others, handle pressure, and make critical decisions. Therefore, it is essential to identify players who exhibit these qualities and promote them as leaders.
However, avoiding imposing leadership roles on players who do not exhibit these qualities is equally important. Doing so can be counterproductive and lead to conflicts within the team. In such cases, the leader should be taught the maturity lesson and encouraged to improve their skills in these areas.
Chris Silverwood
Turning our attention to the behaviour of Silverwood, the head coach of the Sri Lankan team, it is concerning that his behaviour is not very pleasant. It is essential to investigate whether his actions and behaviour contribute to the players’ negative attitude.
A coach’s behaviour can significantly impact the team’s morale, motivation, and performance. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that coaches behave appropriately and create a positive and supportive environment for the players.
Head coach behaviour
After the match had concluded, Silverwood was seen exchanging words with the umpires, and he raised his finger directly towards the umpire’s nose, which is considered a threatening gesture. Such behaviour is unacceptable and shows a lack of respect towards the umpires responsible for ensuring fair play.
The umpires showed great restraint during the incident, but it highlights the need for a system of punishment to be in place not only for players but also for coaches. The incident raises questions about the conduct of coaches and their influence on players.
If coaches are not held accountable for their actions, it could negatively impact the team’s performance, and fair play could be compromised.
It is worth noting that Silverwood is from England, where raising your finger in such a manner is considered an insult. It is concerning that he displayed such behaviour, especially as a coach.
Sri Lanka Cricket should investigate the matter and take appropriate action. It is essential to ensure that coaches uphold the values of good sportsmanship and set a positive example for their players.
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