Having lost both their opening games, Sri Lanka, if they had any hope of making it into the Super 8 had to win their remaining two games against Nepal and the Netherlands. This was not to be. As the rain played spoilsport in Lauderhill Florida. The match was abandoned with not a ball being bowled.
This is terrible news for the Islanders. Having yet to get off the mark in the ICC World T20 2024, a win against the newcomers Nepal was badly needed. But this was not to be. The steady drizzle that never went away ensured that the game would be called off.
What the Washout Means for Sri Lanka
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It means that what little chance the Sri Lankans thought they had when it comes to qualifying for the Super 8 is pretty much dashed. Besides something of a miracle, with Bangladesh losing the rest of their games, Sri Lanka managing to beat the Netherlands in their last remaining game, or Nepal doing the impossible and beating the South Africans. Things are looking really bad for one-time World T20 Champions.
Whilst it is tempting to blame the weather for the bad luck, in fairness to Sri Lanka, the South Asian team did not play their best cricket in the two games. The game against South Africa was a drab affair where none of the batsmen got going. Whilst this could blamed on the pitch, the game ended up being a no-contest. And was something of an omen for what was to come for the Islanders. And now with a seemingly must-win game washed out it seems the bad luck is following them.
Washout Follows Another Disappointment
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Against Bangladesh, things were a bit different. Having mustered a decent score of 124 in the somewhat batting-friendly wicket in the Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, the Sri Lankans put a decent bowling performance in restricting the Bangladesh batters. But the score was not big enough and the equally matched South Asian team, who have had relatively better runs than the Sri Lankans in ICC tournaments, having beaten them in the last outing, did just enough to get past the line.
Now with the Nepal game washed out and elimination from the ICC World T20 almost certain, there is a lot to think about for the Sri Lankan camp. Sadly, this is a familiar sight for the 2014 World T20 Champions. The question is what will they do next?
Sri Lanka Cricket – A Time For Rebuilding … Again
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Following the terrible disappointment of the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India where Sri Lanka finished just above rock bottom team, Netherlands, and thus failed to qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy, things seemed they could not get any worse. Well, based on the recent string of performances at this level, it appears they can.
Much can be said about the nature and future of Sri Lanka cricket. In terms of the changes that could be made, better selection, stronger domestic competition, and stronger incentives for player performances. However, at the end of the day, the fact is that opposition teams across the world have simply gotten stronger. And Sri Lanka as a cricketing nation has simply not kept up.
