For those who had written Sri Lanka off in the ICC World Cup 2019.....

[BDfanforever]

Most people have labelled them as minnows. In reality, they have been arguably one of the best teams in the world from 2007-2015.

Look at their record in World Cups from 2007 till now. They were also finalist in 2007 and 2011. They won T20 World Cup as well along with multiple Asia Cup wins.

They also destroyed RSA in RSA which even India Pakistan yet to do!

Overall, with their limited population and resources they have produced the most throughput than almost all of the countries except Australia.

Congrats Sri Lanka!!!

 

[troodon]

Congrats Lanka, but they are still a terrible team. England choked like they usually do in Worldcups.

 

[KingKhanWC]

The only minnows are Afghanistan in this tournament.

Lanka and every other team can beat anyone. It's usually the arrogant Bollywood fans who label the likes of Lanka and Pakistan as minnows, these people are up their own backsides, so dont take any notice.

 

[sugumarrising]

Congratulations srilanka, happy to see Mathews & malinga perform as senior players

 

[Itachi]

Congrats Lanka, but they are still a terrible team. England choked like they usually do in Worldcups.

Not choked. They were never in the match.

Without flat pitch, this England team is no different than earlier ones.

 

[Itachi]

The only minnows are Afghanistan in this tournament.

Lanka and every other team can beat anyone. It's usually the arrogant Bollywood fans who label the likes of Lanka and Pakistan as minnows, these people are up their own backsides, so dont take any notice.

Lanka is India's bunny. Home or away.

 

[CricketIsAwesome]

Well, a very well deserved team effort by team SL. Congrats to the team and its fans and I hope the momentum continues into the remaining matches with soem exciting cricket.

Having said that, team SL is no minnows but fairly ordinary who you would expect to loose 8 out of 10 matches against teams like Aus, Eng, India and NZ.

 

[fanofcricket4life]

The only minnows are Afghanistan in this tournament.

Lanka and every other team can beat anyone. It's usually the arrogant Bollywood fans who label the likes of Lanka and Pakistan as minnows, these people are up their own backsides, so dont take any notice.

So you HAD to drag India into this for absolutely no reason whatsoever.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Lanka is India's bunny. Home or away.

Not sure what you are watching but this is the world cup not a home series for India in Bombay.

In the World Cup teams play their best cricket, Lanka can upset anyone esp with Malinga looking his old self.

 

[Ronaldo7]

They're still borderline minnows but well done to them. This is a huge upset.

 

[Ashraful_Rox]

Thanks to Allah our match was washed off, Hathurasingha is a technician and the way the field was set for England was interesting. Srilanka can go to semis, they have some exciting cricketers. But respect to Lasith Malinga, what a legend.

 

[Itachi]

Not sure what you are watching but this is the world cup not a home series for India in Bombay.

In the World Cup teams play their best cricket, Lanka can upset anyone esp with Malinga looking his old self.

What you are telling is opinion. What I stated was fact based upon recent performance of India playing in lankas soil.

 

[Mkumar825]

The only minnows are Afghanistan in this tournament.

Lanka and every other team can beat anyone. It's usually the arrogant Bollywood fans who label the likes of Lanka and Pakistan as minnows, these people are up their own backsides, so dont take any notice.

Hahahaha today lose hurt badly

 

[Itachi]

Try reading, I stated its usually Indian bollywood fans who see Lanka as minnows as proven by one poster on here.

I also state Bangladesh as a minnow. Also do include that part.

 

[ManFan]

They have been as terrible as Pakistan in this WC.

A one-off win does not warrant an apology.

 

[saeed5646]

Always have a soft spot for SL .Hopefully they do well in next matches

 

[Manager101]

They have been as terrible as Pakistan in this WC.

A one-off win does not warrant an apology.

While England had two off loses against the weaker teams.

 

[leg-side-flick]

The only minnows are Afghanistan in this tournament.

Lanka and every other team can beat anyone. It's usually the arrogant Bollywood fans who label the likes of Lanka and Pakistan as minnows, these people are up their own backsides, so dont take any notice.

The humble Hollywood fans seem to be busy blaming Burgers, Ice creams, yawning, coin tosses and Sania Mirza....

They should watch out for Afghanistan, don't think of them as minnows, they have beaten you in this tournament once, they might do it again

 

[KingKhanWC]

The humble Hollywood fans seem to be busy blaming Burgers, Ice creams, yawning, coin tosses and Sania Mirza....

They should watch out for Afghanistan, don't think of them as minnows, they have beaten you in this tournament once, they might do it again

When did Afghanistan beat Pakistan in this tournament?

 

[Rayyman]

Former champs for a reason

 

[Mamoon]

Sorry for what? They are still a poor team who got lucky today. No Roy and lucky wickets of Bairstow and Root.

 

[Chokli]

Sorry for what? They are still a poor team who got lucky today. No Roy and lucky wickets of Bairstow and Root.

Can only beat what's put out in front of you and England were still favorites for this match.

Wickets lucky or not still count as wickets.

Credit should be given to Lanka for defending 232.

 

[Deewana]

I have a funny feeling that if SL win their next 2 matches (vs WI and SA), and if somehow England are on 10 points by the time SL play India, India may throw the game vs SL (assuming India would have already qualified by then) if it means India have a Semi vs SL..

 

[hadi123]

A great win for them today, unthinkable that England botched a small chase

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

While the rain diminished Pak's chances it gave life to Sri Lanka.

Wouldn't it have been for the rain Lanka would have had 4 points by now.

 

[Manager101]

While the rain diminished Pak's chances it gave life to Sri Lanka.

Wouldn't it have been for the rain Lanka would have had 4 points by now.

How can you be sure that Pakistan and Bangladesh would have won those matches against them ?

 

[Manager101]

Sorry for what? They are still a poor team who got lucky today. No Roy and lucky wickets of Bairstow and Root.

Give credit when its due mate.

 

[SportsWarrior]

Hahahaha today lose hurt badly

the loss hurt badly because now Pak supporters cannot boast that their team beat tournament favorites and top ODI team

 

[Plumb]

Sorry for what? They are still a poor team who got lucky today. No Roy and lucky wickets of Bairstow and Root.

Not lucky, a little bit offering from the pitch and team like Eng Aus Ind will crumble against any team. Hats off to Lanka for their Fight. Give credit when teams play well don't hide behind Roy or Whoever..

 

[DeadBall]

While the rain diminished Pak's chances it gave life to Sri Lanka.

Wouldn't it have been for the rain Lanka would have had 4 points by now.

Or we would have been on 2 points.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

How can you be sure that Pakistan and Bangladesh would have won those matches against them ?

Pak were favourites and Bangla have been doing better recently.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Or we would have been on 2 points.

Could be, but I am sure Pak really wanted that SL game to be played instead of the Aus or IND ones were they had no chance according to pundits.

 

[topspin]

Sorry for what? They are still a poor team who got lucky today. No Roy and lucky wickets of Bairstow and Root.

English fan in Mamoon coming out. They are my second team as well though.

 

[Chokli]

Could be, but I am sure Pak really wanted that SL game to be played instead of the Aus or IND ones were they had no chance according to pundits.

On a green pitch and the 1992 script I can confidently say SL would have given us a scare

 

[Hasan123]

Sorry for what? They are still a poor team who got lucky today. No Roy and lucky wickets of Bairstow and Root.

Whenever England lose is unlucky LOL. Maybe your rating them too highly. No doubt a good team but they have more weakness than you think.

They have struggled against De Silva today. I'm sorry if that was Pakistan you would be mocking them .

 

[Hasan123]

Some of these Sri Lankan players should not have been selected but they are having a decent tournament. Who knows what would happen happened if those 2 washout games didn't happen ?

I don't think Sri Lanka are as bad as we think. They have de ent batters. They just need a couple of decent bowlers.

 

[nextover666666]

Lanka is India's bunny. Home or away.

funny didn't Sri Lanka beat India in the champions trophy

 

[Captain caveman]

Sorry for what? They are still a poor team who got lucky today. No Roy and lucky wickets of Bairstow and Root.

When teams you don't rate win , pakistan in the final of CT2017 or today's fantastic performance by SL, it is a fluke or luck!
I think you fail to realise in sport a so called "weaker" team can beat a so called 'stronger" team, not by luck or a fluke, but being better on the day!
This is the beauty of sport!

 

[CricketIsAwesome]

SL had agood game against ENgland and they played well, as a team, not counting the average fielding. However SL is still a mediocre team and I wouldn't expect them to win against the other major teams 9 out of 10 times. This doesn;t mean I dont want them to win but its just that the SL team does not look like a bunch that would win.

 

[Itachi]

funny didn't Sri Lanka beat India in the champions trophy

CT wins were fluke. Haven't we already established that?

 

[BaaliSoda]

Despite this win against much fancied English team, Sri Lanka still looks very unlikely team (with their current resources) to progress to the knockout stages. Their batting looks wafer thin and bowling, barring Malinga's miracle (once in a while) is weaker as well.

I feel, this win is good from the tournament's perspective, making the remaining games a non-dead rubber. Now team like Bangladesh, will have to win at least 2 out of their remaining 3 games (best would be 3 out of three) to stay relevant in the competition while, Pak, WI and even SA have (distant) chance of qualifying into the knockout stages (provided Eng, NZ, and India lose a few).

OTOH, England seem to have problem while chasing on decks that are anything other than Flat.

 

[Ellipsism]

Avishka Fernando looks a decent batsman. There’s definitely some semblance to Aravinda de Silva in his stroke play.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

One off performance, nothing to get crazy over.
But yeah udana looks like a decent prospect.

 

[MMHS]

If Hathura is given 4 years and not interfered much in cricket issues, they'll be a force to reckon by next WC. There team is actually the sleeping giant - lots of individuals, hardly a team. If Hathura can integrate the scattered pieces, they are capable of many surprises.

 

[mon858]

Not choked. They were never in the match.

Without flat pitch, this England team is no different than earlier ones.

They had the game in the back with under 6 per over needed when Moeen bhai decided to finish the game for England by throwing his wicket away after hitting one six. All he needed to do was take a single and him and Stokes would have easily got there. Yes Sri Lanka played very well no denying but the game was lost due to England dumbness.

 

[Realromeo]

LOL what is the point of this stat ? THis isn't the same SL team lol.

 

[Hasan2K8]

This SL is nothing same as 2007-2015. No one written them off, it’s just the simple fact this SL isn’t good enough. Their last few years shows why. But that’s not to say they don’t have any hopes for top 4, all have some sort of hope (those ranked outside top5) but SL is certainly not got any chance to win the WC.

 

[Smbhayi]

Pak were favourites and Bangla have been doing better recently.

like England is favorite against SL?

 

[Smbhayi]

Sorry for what? They are still a poor team who got lucky today. No Roy and lucky wickets of Bairstow and Root.

England are lucky, they're getting flat pitches all the time except one and they lost the match badly...

 

[Smbhayi]

Some of these Sri Lankan players should not have been selected but they are having a decent tournament. Who knows what would happen happened if those 2 washout games didn't happen ?

I don't think Sri Lanka are as bad as we think. They have de ent batters. They just need a couple of decent bowlers.

they've good players, but lacks consistency.. look at (Kushal?) Mendis, he's a very good player but average around 28..

 

[Mamoon]

Whenever England lose is unlucky LOL. Maybe your rating them too highly. No doubt a good team but they have more weakness than you think.

They have struggled against De Silva today. I'm sorry if that was Pakistan you would be mocking them .

I can't give credit to a circus team that is ranked 9th. If England play to their potential, Sri Lanka will be blown away 10/10 times. Teams like Pakistan and Sri Lanka can only beat England and India if the latter has a stinker or if they get unlucky.

England had a stinker against Pakistan because 5-6 key players went AWOL, but yesterday, they were plain unlucky with the dismissals of Bairstow and Root.

 

[Mamoon]

England are lucky, they're getting flat pitches all the time except one and they lost the match badly...

Until yesterday, it was a conspiracy by ECB to ensure that England only gets to play on flat wickets. Today, they are lucky because they only got to play on flat wickets. It appears that people will leave no stone unturned to discredit this wonderful English team that fully deserve to be number one in the world.

 

[LongHorn]

I consider Sri Lanka to be by far the second best ODI side after Australia for a period from 1996 to 2011/12

The records speak for themselves

In that period, they were in the finals of the world cup 3 times out of 4

Over last few years though they have gone down, but over the first decade of this century they were remarkably consistent in ODI's

 

[Hasan123]

they've good players, but lacks consistency.. look at (Kushal?) Mendis, he's a very good player but average around 28..

Agree. Mendis should be stuck with. Very talented player. This guy Fernando looks good as well. Add Dickwella and Perra in and that's a decent batting line up. I agree with MMHS they could be a real threat at the next WC.

 

[Hasan123]

I can't give credit to a circus team that is ranked 9th. If England play to their potential, Sri Lanka will be blown away 10/10 times. Teams like Pakistan and Sri Lanka can only beat England and India if the latter has a stinker or if they get unlucky.

England had a stinker against Pakistan because 5-6 key players went AWOL, but yesterday, they were plain unlucky with the dismissals of Bairstow and Root.

Sri Lanka openers didn't turn up and they have been their best batters and yet they still won.

I'm sorry you cant always use an excuse of players not turning up especially twice in a few games. There must be a reason for this.

Struggling against De Silva was hilarious to see. Imagine what Kuldeep and Chahal will do to England batters.

 

[Hitman]

funny didn't Sri Lanka beat India in the champions trophy

India whitewashed them in Tests, ODI’s and T20’s away from home.

 

[Mamoon]

Sri Lanka openers didn't turn up and they have been their best batters and yet they still won.

I'm sorry you cant always use an excuse of players not turning up especially twice in a few games. There must be a reason for this.

Struggling against De Silva was hilarious to see. Imagine what Kuldeep and Chahal will do to England batters.

Not much if England play them well, and that is why England beat them 2-1 last summer.

If both Sri Lanka and England play to their potential, England will win because they are a vastly superior side. Hence, Sri Lanka's openers not turning up isn't much of an excuse in my view.

 

[Hasan123]

Not much if England play them well, and that is why England beat them 2-1 last summer.

If both Sri Lanka and England play to their potential, England will win because they are a vastly superior side. Hence, Sri Lanka's openers not turning up isn't much of an excuse in my view.

We all know if England play well they will beat Sri Lanka. But they didn't . So stop making excuses for them. There is clear weakness in this team if they are losing to Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

 

[Smbhayi]

Until yesterday, it was a conspiracy by ECB to ensure that England only gets to play on flat wickets. Today, they are lucky because they only got to play on flat wickets. It appears that people will leave no stone unturned to discredit this wonderful English team that fully deserve to be number one in the world.

this wonderful team always struggles when bowlers have something on the pitch? didn't they?

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

On a green pitch and the 1992 script I can confidently say SL would have given us a scare

Are u sure it was a green pitch? It would have been toss dependent then.

Don't believe in the 1992 repeat saga.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

like England is favorite against SL?

It was one of the games Pak had a really good chance. We usually do well against Lanka in pressure games.

We always fail against Aus/Ind in such games and they didn't fail to disappoint.

 

[nextover666666]

CT wins were fluke. Haven't we already established that?

So all of Indians win in the champions trophy were flukes eh good to know