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Sri Lanka must win to stay alive
The party at home is over. The overseas missions began with the ICC Champions Trophy in England. Now the team is in Pakistan. Next they go to New Zealand in December. Different techniques of tackling the different conditions are necessary

It was evident that the moving ball got the better of the Sri Lankan batsmen. They were not at ease. They have mastered local conditions where there is little sideways deviation. To be accepted as world class players, batsmen must score as many runs, overseas as well as at home.

In England the fielders were unable to hold onto catches as the temperature dipped and the palms got cold. Unfamiliar conditions, but all part of what an international cricketer has to conquer. It cannot be given as an excuse. The team's performance could have been marked five-out-of-ten. That is average.

Now, Pakistan have won the opening contest in the tri-nation tournament. After the two most experienced players, Sanath Jayasuriya and Marvan Atapattu departed the rest of the batting lost their way. That was the beginning of the end!

Numbers one to four play the major role in a batting line-up that succeeds in one day cricket. It is time that Atapattu and the selectors think ahead to the 2007 World Cup. As it is, Jayasuriya, Atapattu, Sangakkara and Jayawardane are the best four players. They must bat in the positions from one to four. They should be given the time and the overs to build and then continue. Two of the four should make big scores and the others could build around.

T.M. Dilshan should fit into either the fifth or sixth slot. He has the ability to get 50 runs in that position at home. Time will tell whether he is good enough to do that in other parts of the world. Another batsman is required to complete the batting line-up.

On paper, there are a number of all round players. Upul Chandana, Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Zoysa, Kaushal Lokuaratchi, Farveez Maharoof, are all capable. Again, in games overseas they have not delivered adequately yet. Perhaps one of the leg spinners will make way for Muttiah Muralitharan when he is fit to play. That will provide variety and strengthen the bowling attack.

Now, on paper that is a very good team. A combination of good, experienced batsmen, adequate in pace, spin and all round strength. A team, should they be playing to their best potential,must be good enough to even challenge the Australians. The only hiccup is the lack of confidence in succeeding overseas.

Pakistan is a team that is still rebuilding after the flush-out, following the last World Cup debacle. Their opening pair is far from established. The batting relies heavily on Yusuf Youhana and Inzamam-Ul-Huq. The young bowlers, both pace and spin are still learning their trade. As a team they blow hot and cold.

This is the opportunity for Sri Lanka. They should come back from the initial defeat, use all their resources and experiences and win the one day competition. Then take it on to the test series. They have won before in Pakistan. Make use of this opportunity too.

New Zealand have a handful of very good players. They too have a number of in-experienced players in their ranks. In addition their recent form has not been too impressive. Here, Sri Lanka will be severely tested by the pitch conditions. The seaming conditions on most of the surfaces there test the best of teams. Yet it is another opportunity to triumph overseas. The coach has not been very positive about winning when the team left our shores. The team must think differently and play to win.

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