ICC World T20: The Contenders – Part 2 : Sri Lanka & Pakistan

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 08: Farveez Maharoof of Sri Lanka and team mate Upul Tharanga celeabrate during their partnership during the third One Day International Final series match between Australia and Sri Lanka at Adelaide Oval on March 8, 2012 in Adelaide, Australia.

Continuing our peeks at the ICC World T20 2012 contenders, I take a look at Sri Lanka and Pakistan in this second installment.

Find Part One here: [https://www.sportskeeda.com/2012/09/11/icc-world-t20-the-contenders-part-1/]

Sri Lanka : The Good Hosts.

Sri Lanka, the hosts have quietly got themselves perched at #3 on the ICC World T20 rankings, yet not many people are talking about them. Not many people were talking about them in 2011 either, or for that matter in 2007, or even 1996! But it’s the Lankan Lions’ pedigree to punch above their weights and leave a big impression. If there’s one thing you could point out as the characteristic of Sri Lanka’s cricket, it would have to be the way they always enjoy their game.

This is a team that is in the initial stages of an impending transition, the leadership has come full circle to the inimitably classy Mahela Jayawardena, giving Tilekaratne Dilshan total freedom to do what he does best: decimate attacks at the top of the innings. Kumar Sangakkara‘s form was a bit of a worry throughout the last year, but he seems to be getting his touch back, if the brief India series was any indication. Sri Lanka’s hopes will revolve around the batting of these three big guns, with Thilan Samaraweera, Dinesh Chandimal and Ajantha Mendis playing supporting roles, and the likes of Thisara Perera and Angelo Matthews to be called upon for the finish.

Sri Lanka’s bowling might look heavily dependent on the pace and guile of Lasith Malinga, but there’s more to them than meets the eye. The spin of Rangana Herath could be an unforeseen stumbling block for many a side. Their real strength though, is in their all rounders. Nuwan Kulasekara, with his propensity for belligerent counter-attacks is expecially invaluable. Angelo Mathews has been earmarked by many as a future leader, and his cool temperament will be a big asset in tight situations. Their performances will make the final telling difference to Sri Lanka’s prospects.

The challenge that befalls Sri Lanka is to offload the seniors, and extract performances out of the up-and-coming stars of tomorrow. A lesser concundrum is choosing Dilshan’s opening partner. Jayawardena might have to step up to the opener’s slot at the cost of Tharanga to get the balance perfectly right. They have the potential, they have the right attitude, but there’s something intangible that hasn’t quite clicked yet, which holds us back from naming the hosts as red-hot favourites for the title.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 06: Pakistan batsman Saeed Ajmal in action during the 2nd Twenty20 International match between Pakistan and Australia at Edgbaston on July 6, 2010 in Birmingham, England. 

 Pakistan : The Men from Mercury?

Think of Pakistan Cricket, and the first word to jump to your mind, is ‘mercurial’. Pakistan’s talent pools are as incomparable as their inconsistency and propensity to self-destruct from winning positions. Even so, the Pakistan team, riding  on the back of some inspired cricket from the ageless wonder (or blunder? Maybe thunder!) Shahid Afridi in what could have been called their ‘[adopted] home’ conditions shone through to win the World T20 Championship in 2009. They were very sore when they had to defend their title within 10 months of winning it. And sure enough, as fate would have it, the defense had to take place in West Indies, the scene of their sorriest World Cup show in 2007, and the campaign proved doomed from the outset. Fast forward to 2012, and we see a young Pakistan side, under a new captain, another new coach and a clutch of fresh faces gathering themselves for another stake at the crown.

There are some familiar faces, too. Shahid Afridi as long as he un-retires, will be a de facto selection, so probably will Abdur Razzaq (especially in big matches). On their umpteenth comebacks are Imran Nazir, Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal (seriously have to wonder about the drought of wicket keeper batsmen in Pakistan). Be as it may, these names aren’t to be written off lightly. Pakistan’s real strength though, lies in their bowling – slow bowling. Umar Gul may disagree, and rightfully so, for he is one of the best in the seam bowling clique, but there is no talking around the fact that the single largest threat opposition batsmen face against Pakistan, is the magician Saeed Ajmal.

Saeed Ajmal and Umar Gul have been the backbone of Pakistan bowling for the past couple of years, and their outstanding wicket-taking abilities have propped up many a win. Mohammad Hafeez will do well to utilize his two main weapons smartly, and get the likes of Sami, Sohail Tanveer, the promising spinner Raza Hassan and himself to play the supporting roles.

The batting at the moment is a mix-n-match, with Hafeez leading at the top. Youngsters like Asad Shafiq and Nasir Jamshed have looked good, but they’re yet to announce themselves properly on the world stage. This might be as good an opportunity as they will get. A lot was expected of Umar Akmal, and a lot still is. He will be one of the pivots the middle order will look to bat around, with specialists like Afridi, Razzaq or Yasir Arafat to come in and apply finishing touches.

Pakistan are coming off a good tour of Sri Lanka, which will stand them in good stead. The ground conditions suit their style of play, The series win against a rebuilding Australian side will have further boosted the belief in the Pakistan camp, and for a side as naturally gifted as Pakistan, more often than not, it’s just a matter of belief that makes the crucial difference between winning and losing when it really counts.

In our next installment, we’ll glance at the band of Calypso T20 Mercenaries, and the quarrelling neighbours from Down Under. So stay tuned!