"School kids were playing" - Kamran Akmal lashes out at Sri Lankan batsmen after losing T20I series to India
Published - 30 Jul 2024, 11:36 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:16 AM
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal criticized Sri Lanka for their lackluster performance in the ongoing three-match T20I series against India at home. Kamran Akmal said that Sri Lankan players lacked game awareness and responsibility, adding that their play resembled that of school kids.
The Sri Lanka national cricket team lost the second T20I of the three-match series by seven wickets in a rain-affected game. The match was played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele on Sunday, July 28. The home team, led by Charith Asalanka, lost the series 2-0 with one match remaining.
The Charith Asalanka-led team scored 130 for the loss of three wickets in 15 overs after being asked to bat first. The hosts seemed to reach a formidable total in the match. However, they managed to score just 31 in the last 30 deliveries. Notably, they lost seven wickets in the last five overs of the match.
They Have Got Themselves To Blame - Kamran Akmal
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Kamran Akmal criticized Sri Lankan batters for their poor shot selection during the T20I series against India. Akmal stated that the Sri Lankan batters haven’t taken responsibility, highlighting the dismissals of Wanindu Hasaranga and Dasun Shanaka.
"Sri Lanka lost seven wickets for 31 runs in the last five overs. While they looked set for 190, they could manage just 161. They have got themselves to blame. They haven't taken responsibility. The way Hasaranga and Shanaka got out, it seemed as if some school kids were playing. Things like game awareness and responsibility are missing," Akmal said.
The Indian cricket team successfully chased the revised target of 78 runs in just 6.3 overs. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 30 off 15 balls, and skipper Suryakumar Yadav amassed 26 runs off 12 deliveries. All-rounder Hardik Pandya finished unbeaten with 22 off 9, including three boundaries and a maximum.
Really Disappointed - Charith Asalanka
Speaking after the second T20I, Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka stated that they were disappointed with his team's batting performance in the death overs. Asalanka highlighted that they need to improve from the middle and lower order, including himself.
"I am really disappointed with the way we batted at the death and about our middle order and lower middle order including me. We must really improve in our batting. On this pitch, when the ball gets older, it gets really hard to bat. As professional cricketers, we have to do well. We were behind by 15-18 runs. Unfortunately, the weather also played something, we can't control that. It's easy when it comes to an 8-over game with a wet outfield," Asalanka said.
The Suryakumar Yadav-led team secured an unassailable 2-0 lead after their seven-wicket win in the second T20I. Charith Asalanka and his team will aim to secure a consolation victory in the final T20I match, which is scheduled to be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on July 30.
