FINAL FACE OFF

By Srian Obeyesekere

The final face off in the tri nation series in a boil over last minute canter from the outside by Sri Lanka in shifting the ground reality that all looked a virtual Pakistan-Zimbabwe final in an ascension from the blues when all looked lost for the once instant cricket kings the T20 world champipions of 2012 in a contemporary backlash from humiliating in last gasp hit back reversals to challenging Pakistan for the cup stakes has indeed been a dramatic kick up in a Lankan pick up from the doldrums to challenging the tournament dominating hosts Pakistan for the trophy stakes in that final 6-run thrust over Salman Agha’s men to Saturday’s rematch.

Indeed, the finals is a showdown of two sub continent nations striving to regain lost pride in the dip of their game in rebuilding phases of the batting stars in either pack losing their shine, but notably Pakistan shedding a flagging image with conspicuously star batsman Baba Azam rediscovering his form driven by an ODI century and a 76 in this tournament from a slumber that almost all of Pakistan was screaming for his blood.

Smilarly, their bowlers had found a sprig in their step with the Sri Lankans at the receiving end in a fade off with whiteball captain Charith Asalanka crying off from the tour indisposed in a gloomier picture leading to former captain taking being rehanded the reins in a career upturn from the stigma of having been sacked few years ago following a dismal run with the bat and poor results.

That Sri Lanka has rebounded to getting close to a cup high under an old broom with opening batsman Pathum Nissanka batting the side back from almost the vanquished to storming to the finals by a 98-run gutting of Zimbabwe to co-opener new to the blocks Kamil Mishara pounding Pakistan to a match winning 76 to Sri Lsnka standing right up there has been an abounding change of fortunes further fortified by a rusty one drop Kusal Mendis buckling down to watchful supportive decisive knocks of 24 and 40 in the last two games.

The comeback Shanaka factor has seen provided a spark to some degree with the bat while leading from the front also turning his arm to an extent of supplementing the bowling in what has pointedly been the bowling of speedster Dushmantha Chameera whose 4 for 20 in defeating Pakistan in a comeback from a long injury lay off to regaining his wicket taking form.

The finals carries an intensity of which of the two will fire to the champion cup glitter where both sides look equally balanced.