Former Sri Lanka cricketer Russel Arnold has pointed to a batting slowdown in the middle overs and a lack of options in the bowling attack as the main reasons behind Sri Lanka’s defeat to Bangladesh in their Asia Cup Super Four clash in Dubai.
Speaking to Newswire, Arnold said Sri Lanka lost momentum after a strong start, scoring 53 runs in the first six overs but only 45 in the next eight. “That’s less than a run a ball, and the innings stalled badly. We only reached 168 thanks to Dasun Shanaka. Even then, the 19th over went for just five runs and the 20th had four dot balls. You can’t afford that in T20 cricket,” he said.
Despite the stumbles, Arnold insisted that 168 should have been defendable. He stressed, however, that the bowling combination left the captain short of options at key moments. “The attack relies heavily on three bowlers. When you don’t have options, the captain ends up using bowlers at the wrong time. That’s exactly what happened today,” he said, adding that part-time options do not fit the balance unless used early in the innings.
Arnold maintained that Dunith Wellalage is better suited as a fifth bowling option, not the fourth. He added that if Sri Lanka want to include Wellalage, it should be as the seventh batter.
He credited Bangladesh’s chase, led by Saif Hassan, as “top class,” pointing out how they targeted Kamindu Mendis as soon as he came on. “That’s what I meant—when you try to hide a bowler, the opposition pounces,” he said.
“Shanaka’s promotion worked well today, but Kamindu is better suited as a finisher. The batting order doesn’t need drastic changes, but the overall bowling balance does. If we get that right, the results will follow,” Arnold added. (Newswire)