(Image Source: AFP)
[Saba Sports News] “It’s undoubtedly a challenging period,” acknowledged Naveed Nawaz, Sri Lanka’s assistant coach, on the eve of their upcoming match against New Zealand. “However, we must focus on what we can control right now, which is the game tomorrow in this tournament. We can’t dwell on past matches or external distractions. Our priority is to channel our energy and efforts into tomorrow’s game and perform to the best of our abilities.”
Sri Lankan cricket is currently facing a series of challenges. Injuries to key players, a mid-tournament change in captaincy, issues with the cricket board’s management, and underwhelming performances by spinners have all contributed to the team’s struggles. They have managed only two victories in eight games, diminishing their chances of reaching the semifinals. While they can influence the fate of teams like New Zealand, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, they also have their own goal of finishing in the top 8 of the points table.
In their match against New Zealand, Sri Lanka finds themselves in an unofficial Champions Trophy qualifier rather than a World Cup semifinal quest.
Sri Lanka’s batting lineup has been inconsistent, especially at the top order, where they have struggled to find a stable partner for Pathum Nissanka. Nawaz explained that they have been trying to address this issue but have faced challenges in maintaining consistency across all aspects of the game.
Their bowling, particularly the spin department, has underperformed in the tournament. Spinners like Dunith Wellalage and Maheesh Theekshana have struggled to adapt to the Indian conditions, and the pace bowling department has lacked support for Dilshan Madhushanka, the tournament’s leading wicket-taker.
The mid-tournament captaincy change to Kusal Mendis added to the team’s challenges, and Nawaz believes it would be unfair to judge Mendis’s captaincy given the circumstances.
Mendis, who started the tournament with strong batting performances, has seen a dip in form since taking on the captaincy role. Nawaz expressed confidence in Mendis’s attacking style of play and emphasized the importance of mental clarity for the players.
Despite the difficulties, there is significance to their upcoming match against New Zealand. While their objectives differ greatly, both teams have reasons to pursue a win. Sri Lanka’s campaign has been disappointing, particularly following their impressive showing at the Asia Cup.
Addressing the broader issues facing Sri Lankan cricket may require long-term solutions that cannot be implemented before their final league game. They currently sit ninth on the points table, with only four points from eight games, alongside teams like England, Bangladesh, and Netherlands. A win or loss in their match against New Zealand won’t guarantee them a spot in the top 8, and they will have no control over their fate after this fixture.