Liyanage laments being stranded in Sri lanka’s loss as he fails to take his side over the line against Bangladesh.
Liyanage rues not taking Sri Lanka over the finish line.
Sri Lanka let up more runs to Bangladesh’s last-wicket stand than they would have wanted. However, the game’s leading scorer, Janith Liyanage, believes that the hitters’ mistakes were primarily to blame for the 16-run loss to Bangladesh.
With two wickets left, Sri Lanka’s No. 6 struck 78 off 85 balls and reduced the team’s need to 21 off the final 17 deliveries before being removed. However, Sri Lanka’s tail was first revealed at a previous phase in which they lost five wickets for 57 runs.
“We made some small mistakes and lost the game there – the batting unit will take the responsibility for that,” Liyanage said. “We know that the R Premadasa pitch turns a bit as the game goes on, but we’re not using that as an excuse.”
But Liyanage was in the middle, and Sri Lanka and the Khettarama fans had had some optimism. In his short career, he has averaged 45.18 at a strike rate of 82, which is outstanding for Sri Lanka. For the most part, he is a finisher.
“When I was in the middle I thought Sri Lanka always had a chance. I was telling my partners that if we can take it deep we can win the game. Unfortunately we couldn’t do it.”
In a match that seemed to have slipped from them, Sri Lanka came storming back thanks to his ninth-wicket partnership of 58 with Dushmantha Chameera. However, Liyanage was caught by the bowler after being tricked by a slower ball from Mustafizur Rahman just as victory appeared to be within touching reach.
“We tried not to take much of a risk against Mustafizur and score off the others, but it didn’t work out. Dushmantha Chameera was giving me incredible support at the time. If I’d stayed there we would definitely have been able to win. Dushy aiya was fantastic – I was the one who made the mistake.”
Nevertheless, Liyanage suggested his role was to take innings deep.
“I talked frequently with coaches about what to do in different kinds of situations. One thing they said was that when our batsmen get out, I’m the one who is left to hit some big shots. I thought if I stayed till the end we have a chance.