Sri Lanka were eliminated from the Super-8 after losing the first two games, yet their fans did not let them down as they came in large numbers to watch their national team play for the last time in this T20 World Cup. However, Sri Lanka could not manage to give them their last glimpse of glory.
Dasun Shanaka gave them every reason to celebrate, but missed out on winning the game on the last two balls. This was followed by an altercation with bowling coach Lasith Malinga, who appeared unhappy with Shanaka’s shot selection on the second to last ball.
Lasith Malinga reprimands Dasun Shanaka for poor shot selection on the last ball
Until captain Dasun Shanaka stepped up to form a partnership with batsman Pawan Rathnayake, Sri Lanka never looked to be in the game. The batsman was also a dynamic star, playing the Pakistani spinners with ease despite the fall of wickets at the other end.
Rathnayake returned to the pavilion for a long time after playing a good inning of 58 runs in only 37 balls. At that time, captain Dasun Shanaka was standing at the other end and Dunit Velales was also with him. Shanaka mainly started his attack against Shadam Khan in the 19th over.
With 46 runs needed from the last two overs, at 39, Shanaka took 18 runs off Shadab Khan’s over, which included two deafening sixes. The Sri Lankan captain looked in complete control at the start of the final over, hitting fours and three consecutive sixes off the first four balls of Shaheen Afridi.
However, Shanaka suddenly tried to play a ramp shot on the 5th ball of the over and played a dot in an attempt to deceive everyone. Sri Lanka eventually lost the game by 5 runs, and as Shanaka walked back to the dressing room, he was seen defending himself against a very agitated Lasith Malinga.
The legendary fast bowler can be seen complaining as to why he made such an audacious effort after playing so well on the field throughout the match and having such a sweet relationship straight with the bat. This is also clear in the video:
Dasun Shanaka’s Sri Lanka end ICC T20 World Cup with three defeats in Super-8 matches
The game saw everything: the excitement of the Pakistan fans for qualification, the disappointment after being eliminated, Shanaka’s climax and finally an anticlimax when Shanaka left the last ball thinking it would be called a wide.
However, this is Dasun Shanaka-led Sri Lanka’s fourth consecutive defeat in this T20 World Cup. They started with a loss to Zimbabwe in their final group-stage game and then lost all three matches in the Super-8. They first lost to England and then to the Kiwis.
However, the last game came very close to a complete conclusion to their campaign; It ultimately ended in favor of the opponent. On home ground, the Sri Lankan team was eliminated without winning a single Super-8 game.
Dasun Shanaka’s Sri Lanka ruled out of hosting semi-finals after Pakistan’s exit
After the Lankans eliminated Pakistan from the semi-final race, it meant that SLC lost the chance to host the semi-finals in the co-host World Cup. If Pakistan had qualified to play against South Africa, the match would have been held in Colombo.
Now that New Zealand is ready to play against South Africa once again in this World Cup and this time Eden Gardens will host the competition in the Super-8. The second semi-final between England and another qualified team will be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Also read: England cancels Pakistan matches after US-Israel attack on Iran, ICC in crisis situation amid T20 WC