Saudi Arabia's FIFA World Cup 2034 bid achieves highest evaluation score in history    Substitute Al-Othman leads Al-Qadsiah to a crucial victory against Al-Khaleej    Ronaldo's double powers Al-Nassr to a 2-0 victory over Damac    Riyadh Metro ticket prices starts at SR4    Minister Al-Samaani inaugurates technical office to enhance judicial quality in Qassim    Saudi Transport Authority cracks down on foreign trucks violating rules    Saudi Arabia retains its seat on OPCW Executive Council    Saudi Arabia's R&D expenditure hits SR22.61 billion in 2023    Saudi Arabia, Comoros strengthen economic ties with new MoU    Displaced Palestinians in Gaza suffer in harsh weather    Saudi Arabia receives extradited citizen wanted for corruption crimes from Russia    China investigates a top military official as Xi broadens purge of PLA generals    Russian defense minister visit North Korea to expand military cooperation    K-Pop group NewJeans split from agency in mistreatment row    Putin threatens Kyiv decision-makers after striking energy grid    Culture minister visits Diriyah Art Futures    GCC Preparatory Ministerial Meeting discusses developments in Gaza and Lebanon    Al Taawoun seals AFC Champions League Two knockout spot with 2-1 win over Al Khaldiya    Best-selling novelist Barbara Taylor Bradford dies    Adele doesn't know when she'll perform again after tearful Vegas goodbye    Order vs. Morality: Lessons from New York's 1977 Blackout    India puts blockbuster Pakistani film on hold    The Vikings and the Islamic world    Filipino pilgrim's incredible evolution from an enemy of Islam to its staunch advocate    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Honor at stake for Lankans and Proteas
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 28 - 03 - 2016

NEW DELHI — Already out of the semi-final race, both South Africa and Sri Lanka will strive to end their ICC World Twenty20 campaign on a winning note when they clash against each other in an inconsequential Super 10 Group 1 clash, here Monday.
It was England that knocked both the teams out of the tournament with their 10-run victory over Sri Lanka here Saturday.
England's narrow win meant that it along with the West Indies were identified as semifinalists from Group 1. A win for Sri Lanka would have kept the group open for three teams but England poured water on its hopes with its superlative show.
Sri Lanka had never started as one of the contenders in this prestigious event but for Proteas getting eliminated at group stage is a harsh result, considering that their side was packed with phenomenal players.
The script has gone horribly wrong for the Proteas after two defeats in three matches.
More than anything it was its defeat against England in the opening match that hurt South Africa the most. Failing to defend a mammoth 229 for four was a result that put it in a position where it was left to catch up with other teams.
Even a team like Afghanistan managed to scare the Proteas before it lost to West Indies. They have been the only team in the tournament so far that has scored over 200 twice but still struggled to win.
For Sri Lanka, retirement of their stars players, injury to regular T20 skipper Lasith Malinga and no-show by established pros such as Tillakaratne Dilshan just compounded their woes.
Like South Africa, its only win also came against minnows Afghanistan.
It is a huge task for Angelo Mathews now to rebuild the team. Mathews and Thisaara Perera have been there in the side for a long time but the top-order could never gave them a platform to build.
The emergence of young paceman Dushmantha Chameera is a good sign but they need more firepower in both batting and bowling departments.
The pitch at Feroze Shah Kotla ground has always been a difficult one for the batsmen. Stroke-making is far from easy and batsmen must spend some time before trying to open their arms. The ball grips and does not come on to bat.
Since Sri Lanka has played here Saturday, it surely has a better idea about the conditions. But it is up against wounded lions, who would come pouncing on them.
Now that nothing is at stake, Sri Lanka too have license to play freely. Skipper Mathews, Chamara Kapugedera and Thisara Perera did exactly that against England and had almost pulled off the win.
If they can repeat their gritty performance, they will take with them a lot of confidence from the event.
Teams
Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (captain), Dushmantha Chameera, Dinesh Chandimal, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Rangana Herath, Shehan Jayasuriya, Chamara Kapugedera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Thisara Perera, Sachithra Senanayake, Dasun Shanaka, Milinda Siriwardana and Lahiru Thirimanne.
South Africa: Faf du Plessis (captain), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, AB de Villiers, Imran Tahir, Chris Morris, David Miller, Aaron Phangiso, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn and David Wiese. — Agencies


Clic here to read the story from its source.