After Kumar Sangakkara left the scene, Sri Lankan cricket
was in a rebuilding process. Some exciting talents did burst into the scene,
but the results were frustrating. We kept on assuring ourselves, Sri Lankan
cricket is going through a transition period, but it when the amount of
humiliations increase day by day, the logic of transition doesn’t seem to work
further. A defeat against one of the low-ranked sides in world cricket, who
hardly plays active cricket, becomes hard to digest.
Then a heavy thrashing at own backyard without even
exhibiting minimum amount of fight, indicate, one of the best sides of
subcontinent, are following the path of West Indies, who failed to handle their
own transition period after the retirement of greats.
Sri Lankan cricket needed a huge morale boost and to uplift
the confidence, a victory was much needed. One was not sure when it would
arrive.
On the final day of first Test at Abu Dhabi against
Pakistan, when Yasir Shah was on a roll, it seemed, Sri Lanka’s miseries have
no ending and one has to wait more for their bounce back. But, Test cricket is
such a funny game. It always offers something special when you have thought of
a forgone conclusion.
And, when the team is Pakistan, one should not give up the
hope of a drama.
Chasing 136 to win, with plenty of time and overs left,
Pakistan exhibited their usual impulsive nature. The top and middle order
crumbled against the wrecker-in-chief of fourth innings, Rangana Herath and all
of a sudden, Sri Lanka, who were down and out, for most of the times, sensed an
unlikely victory.
Ultimately, Pakistan collapsed in fourth innings – loss of
ten wickets on final day happened to them on five occasions since 2016 and at
once they lost nine. So like Bangladesh, Pakistan also have been poor
performers on final day in recent times.
But Pakistan’s capitulation would do Sri Lanka a world of
good. They were waiting for something to happen to boost their confidence and
finally, at Abu Dhabi, they have achieved one of the most memorable comebacks
to enlighten their transition period.
I am extremely happy that Sri Lanka won as because, they
needed it very much and it was good for Test cricket as well. It’s never
something delightful to see a quality team get lost during the period of
transition.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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