Asia Cup T20: Sri Lanka v UAE - 5 Talking Points

Sri Lanka started off their Asia Cup campaign with an easy win over the lower-ranked qualifier UAE. After being put into bat, Dinesh Chandimal gave Sri Lanka a flying start along with Tillakaratne Dilshan. However, UAE skipper Amjad Javed surprised the giants by dismissing both openers and Milinda Siriwardana in three consecutive overs during the halfway stage of the game. UAE then cashed in with quick wickets to fold Sri Lanka cheaply for just 129 runs. With a paltry target to chase, UAE fancied their chances of a win. However, Sri Lankan bowlers led by their skipper Maling did not let UAE cause any upset and successfully defended the lowly total to win the match by 14 runs.

1. Sri Lankan collapse:

Sri Lankans were very disappointing today with the bat. The Lankan side, after flying start of 68/0 by their openers in 9 overs could only manage to score 129/8 in 20 overs. The Lankans lost wickets in quick intervals and could not take advantage of the inexperienced UAE bowling attack. They could add only 61 wickets in their last 11 over at the cost of eight overs. This total also happens to their lowest against an associate nation. Wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Chandimal was the saving grace for Sri Lanka as he scored a quick fire 39 balls 50 with 7 fours and 1 six.

2. UAE fight back:

UAE skipper Amjad Javed lead from the front after dismissing both openers and Milinda Siriwardana in three consecutive overs. Sri Lanka looked in control at the start with Chandimal and Dilshan playing them out easily but the turnaround came after the 9th over when the skipper brought the breakthrough. Javed ended his spell with 3 wickets giving 25 runs. Mohammad Naveed (2/27), Mohammad Shahzad (2/27) and Rohan Mustafa (1/17) all cashed on the advantage provided by their skipper to stun the Lankans and dismiss them cheaply.

3. Sri Lankan bowlers save the face as UAE crumble:

The target of 130 is below par in any conditions and UAE fans hoped for a win. UAE had already taken everyone by surprise after winning the qualifiers to enter the main event. However, Opener Rohan Mustafa and one down Mohammad Shahzad fell victim to Lasith Malinga in the first over of the match to seriously dent the expectation of an upset. Middle order batsmen Sandeep Patil and Shaiman Anwar showed a brief resistance but their efforts could have never enough to chase the target as Nuwan Kulasekara (3/10) and Rangana Herath (2/22) tightened the noose around UAE and completely threw them out of the contest.

4. Malinga ‘The king of T20 format’:

Sri Lankan skipper Lasith Malinga dashed all hopes and possibilities of an upset as he struck off the first ball of the match. Rohan Mustafa was lbw the very first ball of the chase. Mohammad Shahzad was then clean bowled off the last ball of the same over. Malinga did not stop after an eventful first over as he went to claim two more wickets. He removed the sturdy Sandeep Patil in the 17th over and then snapped up Mohammad Naveed in the following over to end with match figures of 4/26 in four overs.

 5. Sandeep Patil’s brief resistance:

Sandeep Patil came in at number six after the first four of the UAE batting order departed for single digit scores. The experienced campaigner tried to steady the ship and played sensibly. He was a part of two short partnerships which kept the flickering hope of a win alive. Patil first teamed up with Shaiman Anwar and put together a stand of 22 runs. He then partnered with skipper Amjad Javed to weave a 38 runs partnership. However, Lasith Malinga tricked him with a slower ball and dismissed him caught and bowled. Patil went back to the pavilion with an outstanding knock of 37 off 36 balls.