Srilanka’s Form: Srilanka is playing against Afghanistan at their home. Friday night was a shocker when the home team lost to the Afghans by a massive margin of 60 runs. There is no denial that team was struggling and it was not very motivating for the fans. But what is wrong with Srilanka? From being Asia Cup champs to losing to rank every day… Why the Srilanka team is so inconsistent and how will this impact them? Let’s find out.
SL VS AFG 1st ODI: The Sad Story for Sri lanka
Prior to the spinners Fazalhaq Farooqi, Yamin Ahmadzai, and Gulbadin Naib tearing through Sri Lanka’s batting order, sharing nine wickets between them, Afghanistan’s top order had put them up for a dominant 294 for 8 thanks to Ibrahim Zadran’s 106.
Pathum Nissanka, who kept the score moving in the early overs while wickets dropped around him, and subsequently Wanindu Hasaranga, who was in dazzling batting form even as he ran out of partners, were the main sources of Sri Lanka’s resilience. But the harm caused by Afghanistan’s seamers was too great. The winning margin was a huge 60 runs, with Sri Lanka being completely outplayed at home. They never really appeared to be able to gauge the scope of this major pursuit.
What is Wrong with Sri lanka?
The squad is in a transition phase. From being among the best to ever play the game to have suffered the most defeats in a single season in T20s and fair share of losses in ODI too. We may have to wait a little longer to see new players in their finest form since they still seem to be adjusting to the international stage.
This is a new team in the building. There is also a lot of political unrest in the nation which also has an affect on the players. While the unrest was at its peak, they won a home series in ODIs against Australia. This brings a lot of motivation to work on future.
Sri lanka’s Form: A Trouble for Qualification in World Cup 2023
The setback now makes Sri Lanka’s automatic entrance into the ODI World Cup next year much less probable. They have just five games left and only have 62 points in the Super League standings (putting them in 10th place, with only the top eight qualifyings). Afghanistan, meanwhile, moves closer to securing a spot in the World Cup with 110 points right now (they are eighth). There are still plenty of games left to play.
Srilanka as a team has shown a lot of inconsistencies that force us to question our support for them. At one moment they are the Asia Champs, on the other, they lose to the newbies of cricket. They struggled to qualify for the T20 World Cup 2022. It looks like, it will be a similar case even in the ODI World Cup 2023 that is to take place in India.
What Future Holds for Sri Lanka?
The Sri Lankan squad has players that inspire optimism in their supporters regarding the team’s future. Sangakara, Jayawardane, and Jayasuriya did not emerge from thin air. Hasaranga, Shanaka, Theekshana, or Nissanka are some of Sri Lanka’s up-and-coming talents, and they are shining. The squad will put its faith in guys like them because they have the talent and ability to turn around games.
As of now, they will look on to winning their next game against Afghanistan. And whatever may happen with the qualification, they will hope to go with the flow. Winning one match at a team, to the top.
