KJP must come out swinging for Sri Lanka's cause

Sri Lanka slipped back into Abu Dhabi late Monday, top of Group 'B' in the Asia Cup after their scrappy win over Hong Kong. But despite the points on the board, the bus ride was as silent as a dressing room after a batting collapse. The players knew full well there was little to be proud about.

- REX CLEMENTINE IN DUBAI

If their opening win over Bangladesh had been a textbook chase, the Hong Kong fixture was more like a scratchy net session. Five dropped catches kept Sri Lanka afloat, yet they still contrived to turn a routine pursuit of 150 into a cliffhanger. Four wickets for eight runs left them wobbling before Wanindu Hasaranga took the side to safety.

The strip may have favoured spinners, but that was no excuse for the lacklustre bowling and the shoddy chase. On such surfaces, former champions should be knocking off the runs in 16 overs, not limping home by the skin of their teeth.