Choose your fights wisely

by Rex Clementine

In recent years, Sri Lankan players have tried to get under the skin of Bangladesh players and there have been some nasty exchanges during close games. It all started during the epic Nidhas Trophy encounter in Colombo in 2018 as Bangladesh knocked the hosts out of the final. Then last year with Angelo Mathews being timed out for the first time ever in cricket, the relationships nosedived.

During the series deciding third T-20 International on Saturday, Towhid Hridoy reacted angrily after being cleaned up by a Nuwan Thushara peach. The batter was playing the line of the ball, but it swung just enough after pitching and bowled Hridoy neck and crop. As he was walking off a Sri Lankan fielder apparently asked why is he not reviewing. For this the batsman reacted angrily and earned a 15 percent fine from his match fee.

Then after securing the series the Sri Lankans celebrated with a timed-out gesture. It was all good fun and well received by fans. But the question that needs to be asked is whether Bangladesh is the fight that you want to pick?

Yours is a proud cricketing nation. Your country has won the ICC World Cup, a T-20 World Cup, many Asia Cups. Furthermore, Sri Lanka is the only Asian nation to have won a Test series in South Africa. Now then, you wonder what has Bangladesh won?

Bangladesh received Test status thanks to Mr. Jagmohan Dalmiya and not because they had any great cricketing history or tradition like us.

Several Sri Lankan coaches have served Bangladesh since their arrival on the international scene. Even their current Head Coach is a Sri Lankan – Chandika Hathurusinghe while their curator is also a Sri Lankan – Gamini Silva.

True, Bangladesh have improved their cricket in recent years. But, several members of the team are spoilsports always waiting to pick up a fight. They are also poor losers and at times a disgrace to the sport.

We Sri Lankans have played our cricket with class and character and in general we have been humble in victory and gracious in defeat. Things being said under pressure can be understandable, but going out of the way to pick up a fight is not going to serve any purpose.

It has been so good to see the Sri Lankan team playing the age-old fearless brand of cricket. They will do well if they choose wisely which fights to pick.