Sri Lanka: Road to the Final
As Sri Lanka prepare to take the field at Lord’s against Pakistan today, here is a lowdown on their journey so far.
By Rajesh Kumar
When the Lankans announced their intentions for the first time in the ICC World Twenty20, against the mighty Australians, the writing was clear on the wall - nothing would do less than the ultimate for this group.
The winning momentum that skipper Kumar Sangakkara set rolling since calling right at the toss against Ricky Ponting has not slowed till now. The Aussiess 159/8 on June 8 at Trent Bridge was not by any measure a meagre total. But Sri Lanka's six-wicket triumph, getting the target inside 19 overs itself and Sangakkara being the Man-of-the-Match, just took the might out of the Aussies. Lanka indeed put the first nail in the Australian coffin.
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Next up at the same venue were the sturdy West Indies, riding on skipper Chris Gayle's magnificent form and his love to demolish. The Sanath Jayasuriya-scripted score of 192/5, however, proved beyond even the giant Gayle and the Windies fell 15 runs short.
In what now seems like a prelude to the final, Sri Lanka and Pakistan lined up at Lord's on June 12. Though Sri Lanka's score looked a little low by the side's standard, with Tillakaratne Dilshan showcasing his batting finesse, Pakistan failed to get the better of the Tigers by 19 runs. Let us see if that score would be settled today or not.
Moving on, the Lankans tasted their first scare in the tournament at Lord's in the Super Eights when minnows Ireland faltered at the finishing line. In response to Sri Lanka's 144/9 (the highest number of wickets Lanka have lost till now in the tournament), the Irish aim of an upset was cut short by just seven runs. They could manage just 135/7.
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In the second clash of the stage, it was to be easy for the finalists as they were up against a depleted New Zealand side, which was carrying several injuries. Ajantha Mendis' magical wand wrapped up the Kiwis at 110 only after Sri Lanka set up a 159-run target for them.
In the penultimate clash, Dilshan once again put the Lankan intentions out front when he thrashed the Windies attack to pieces in his remarkable unbeaten 96-run knock in his side's 158/5. Angelo Mathews then crushed the Windies' spirits by claiming three wickets in the first over itself. And, after that all Gayle's men could manage was 101 in 18 overs at the Oval.
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Now, the onus is on Pakistan, who are on fantasy-like run, with all ups and downs thrown in, to halt the highly-charged Lankan wagon.
Other highlights of the Sri Lankan campaign:
Highest individual innings: Tillakaratne Dilshan (96* off 57 balls) against West Indies, at Trent Bridge on June 19
Leading run-getter: Dilshan - 317 (avg 63.40) in six matches
Most 50s: 3 by Dilshan
Best strike rate (overall): 148.13 by Dilshan
Most sixes: 3 in six matches by Sanath Jayasuriya
Most wickets: 12 (avg 9.08) in six matches by Ajantha Mendis; 12 (avg 13.91) in six matches by Lasith Malinga
Best bowling in an innings: 3/9 by Ajantha Mendis vs. New Zealand, Trent Bridge, June 16
Best partnership: 124 (first wkt) Dilshan & Jayasuriya vs. West Indies at Trent Brideg on June 10
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