In a thrilling ODI series between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, the latter emerged victorious with a 2-1 win, led by an impressive performance in the third game.Despite winning the toss, Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis made an ineffective decision to bat first, ultimately proving costly.The day-match format meant no need to worry about the dew factor. Still, Sri Lanka struggled with their batting throughout the tournament due to the poor form of opener Avishka Fernando.
The selection committee’s decision to persist with Fernando despite his lacklustre performances created instability in the team, particularly in the opening wicket partnership, which was a critical factor in the team’s downfall.
Bangladesh’s consistent and strong performance throughout the series deservedly earned them the victory.
Poor Sri Lanka openers
During the match, Sri Lanka’s opening batters struggled to make an impact and were both dismissed for a paltry total of just 15 runs.
Interestingly, this was not an isolated case, as in this series, Sadeera Samarawickrama also faced a similar fate to Avishka Fernando.
Unfortunately, Sri Lanka has no replacement players for the underperforming batters, which leaves the team with limited options for improving their batting performance.
Janith Liyanage, the silent hunter
Janith Liyanage, a talented 28-year-old player, has only played six ODIs so far, but he has already made a mark by scoring a century and three half-centuries in those matches.
It is remarkable to think where this gifted player has been hiding all this time. One can only imagine how many talented players like him have lost their way in the past.
Fortunately, the new selection committee brought Janith into the spotlight. Despite Sri Lanka losing today’s match, it was Janith’s match.
When all the batters were out, he showed impressive defensive skills, and his patience paid off with his first ODI century. His innings were excellent, displaying a mix of technique, talent, and temperament.
Unfortunately, the Sri Lankan team could not capitalise on Janith’s excellence.
Given Janith Liyanage’s impressive batting performance, he seems more than capable of playing in the Test team. However, the selection committee must make that decision.
Bangladesh victory
The Bangladesh team performed outstandingly throughout the series, consistently staying ahead of their opponents, Sri Lanka. Their hard-earned victory in the series is a testament to their exceptional skills and well-coordinated teamwork.
The team’s batsmen, bowlers, and fielders all played a vital role in securing their triumph, displaying great expertise and precision in their respective roles. Furthermore, the head coach of the team, Chandika Hathurusinghe, deserves credit for his outstanding leadership skills and strategic decision-making.
His meticulous approach to player recruitment ensured that only the most competent players were selected for each match. With a well-balanced composition, the Bangladesh team made crucial decisions during the match, demonstrating their ability to adapt to changing conditions on the field.
Their success results from their hard work, persistence, and focus. They have rightfully earned their place in the history of the series.
Sri Lanka’s defeat
There’s a huge gap between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh regarding the quality of coaches. If we look at their abilities, it’s quite evident that Hathurusinghe is far superior to Silverwood.
This raises an important question: Why is the Sri Lankan team still keeping Silverwood as their coach? It’s possible that Silverwood’s personality is not well-suited to managing the team effectively.
In other words, he may not possess the leadership qualities required to motivate the players and bring out their best performance on the field.
How selected the Sri Lankan team for ODI series
The procedure for selecting the team for this series remains to be determined, much like the previous T20 series held with Bangladesh.
It is imperative to delve into the selection committee’s criteria for choosing players such as Binura Fernando in the T20 team and Avishka Fernando’s continued inclusion in matches despite his poor performance.
Comparing the selections of the Bangladesh and Sri Lanka teams highlights a significant gap in the selection process.
The Bangladesh team prioritises selecting players using the correct technique. Still, whether the Sri Lanka selection committee has the technical knowledge to make similar decisions is being determined.
After his poor performance in two consecutive matches, the Bangladesh selection committee demonstrated their willingness to drop Linton Das, the opening batsman.
In contrast, the Sri Lanka selection committee has a more lenient approach, as they persisted with Avishka Fernando even after he failed in two consecutive matches.
This trend of favouritism over performance has been observed in several incidents throughout the tournament.
Rishad Hossain is the weather changer
Rashid Hossain, the legendary cricketer, is known for discovering Bangladesh as a cricketing nation.
In today’s match, his batting prowess proved to be the deciding factor, making him the player of the match.
His exceptional skills with the bat are such that Bangladesh need not fear losing, even in the face of a raging downpour, as he will surely give victory by defeating the rain.
Hossain’s performance in today’s match was genuinely remarkable. He scored an incredible 48 runs in just 18 balls, including 4 sixes and 5 fours.
When the match was in the balance and Sri Lanka was hoping to win, Hossain put an end to their hopes, ending the match in just 40 overs by hitting all over the ground. The Sri Lankan players were caught off guard by Hossain’s brilliance and never expected such an outcome.
Bangladesh’s cricketing standards have always been ahead of Sri Lanka, and Hossain’s performance in today’s match only reaffirms that fact. Sri Lanka has yet to accept Bangladesh’s superiority in cricket.
Victory Never Forget
The Bangladesh cricket team’s victory in the ODI series against Sri Lanka was a testament to their hard work and dedication. Their success was not a coincidence but rather a reflexion of the team’s and management’s unwavering commitment to excellence.
The team’s strategy for winning matches is not hasty or impulsive but a calculated and aggressive approach that keeps their minds engaged and excited. Hossein, a keen observer of the game, could see the energy that emanates from the body when the mind is stimulated.
Despite their recent triumph, the Bangladesh cricket team has yet to reach its peak. However, with the likes of talented young players such as Hossain joining the team in the future, they are bound to become even stronger.
The team’s coach, Hathurusingha, has a remarkable ability to identify and nurture young talent, and by following his guidance and respecting his decisions, the Bangladesh cricket team has a bright future. They are poised to dominate international cricket in the years to come.
