By Srian Obeyesekere
This is what was expected of the six foot Dasun Shanaka to lead upfront with the explosive batting he is undoubtedly capable of using the sword power in his hand of his captaincy authority to bat up the order which he did at long last and the giant hitting blinder of 34 off just 9 balls ballooned by 5 smash ups over the top simply blinding last night that won the day for Sri Lanka must surely make wonder why he let that literal Sword dangle down in a previous career decline despite packing the ammunition to do it for self and country – an innings that made the ultimate difference as Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by 14 runs as Sri Lanka got their run act this time in a blaze of 160 for 6 off only 12 overs in the rain reduced decider at Dambulla’s Rangiri International Cricket Stadium heightened to a typical showdown as Pakistan wilted on 146 for 8 off 12 with the one flare up by Skipper Salman Agha’s 12 ball 45 drawing on 3 over the top and 5 across as Wanindu Hasaranga did the rest with his leg spin magic 4 for 34 well supported by the upfront first wicket by Eshan Malinga in clean bowling for a duck followed by the supportive 2-wicket grab by Matheesha Pathirana, already basking in that IPL gold shine second highest buy high.
Shanaka’s was one stroke of firepower of spelling out his inherent batting reminiscent o of a hitman that India’s Rohit Sharma revels in that Sri Lanka does have such a goliath.
Indeed, it is worth repeating that this is what was expxected of Shanaka instead letting that flaring literal sword of Damascus as the slogan goes to have withered away when he had it all in him to deliver the batting skills he inherently posseses. That he chiefly won the match for Sri Lanka goes without any stretch of imagination and that he did not receive that final Player of the Match award top performance prize for valour is regrettable with all respect to Wanindu Hasaranga.
As it was the 9 ball hitman of Sri Lanka was the triumphant return from a slumber by and large Shanaka having slumbered in a backseat role of walking into the middle too late after the horses had bolted. Yesterday, Kamil Mishara set the tempo by a cracking 20 off 8 making lght second ball gone Pathum Nissanka duck as recalled Dhananjaya de Silva 22 off 15 lifted Sri Lanka to the 50 mark off 4.2 overs with one drop Kusal Mendis at the time on 3 off 4 going on to open up for 16 ball 30, the final touches Janith Liyanage clinically undefeated by a cameo 22 off 8 with Hasaranga for company on 1 to that scripting.
Sri Lanka 160 for 6 (Shanaka 34, Mendis 30, Wasim 3-54) beat Pakistan 146 for 8 (Agha 45, Hasaranga 4-35) by 14 runs.
