Being the world champions in this style of game, the Lankans have pride and prestige to guard. They will have to somehow or the other turn their game around. They have it in them to do so. More application is what is required.
Like in life luck plays an important part too in sport. Luck has so far not looked benignly on the Lankans. They will be hoping that they will be third time lucky.
After making a big score of 295 and not being able to win would have galling to them. They failed to beat the Pakistanis because they did not have the bowlers with the ability to put the brakes on the aggressive Pakistani batsmen.
For this game the Lankans selectors better contemplate on playing left-armer Sanjeewa, De Silva and give Chaminda Vaas a rest. Vaas was doing everything possible to bring the Lankans a victory with some intelligent bowling in his second spell. But while his heart was willing his body was not - he is suffering with a badly damaged right ankle - and he is not the bowler skipper Ranatunga would like him to be.
Pushpakumara got two early wickets and clung on to three good catches and other than for Dharmasena who bowled a tidy spell did not have any other bowler for support.
The bowling department is what is of big worry to Ranatunga. He must be wondering from where match wining bowlers are going to sprout.
When the Lankans batted what was refreshing was to see Jayasuriya walk out with his partner Kaluwitharna. These two quick hitters who gave the game a new concept with their pinch hitting, were into the act again and gave the Pakistani bowlers a hiding with a three-figure stand, which laid the foundation for Aravinda de Silva and Ranatunga to build on. Jayasuriya and Kaluwitharna exploded as it were and were in business.
De Silva played an innings that was not in keeping with his usual attacking style. This is the first time in his career that he has made a big score without hitting a boundary. That must be record of sorts.
Ranatunga who has been unfortunate came good and his 86 was a knock to savour. He has reduced weight and his movements are quick which showed that he has a lot more cricket in him.
With Lanka having to win it would not be a bad idea to bring back Atapattu and bat him at number three and leave Jayawardena out. Or even bat Russel Arnold at number three.
The Lankans have it in them to turn things around. What they must do is to believe in themselves.
As for the Pakistanis, they are brilliant individually. But collectively they are inadequate. While their bowling can be hit around, their fielding is putrid. But they have an awesome batting line up that runs right down.
Whatever runs their bowlers concede, they have the batting that can make any big total look getable. Anwar, Ahmed, Inzamam, Razzack, Moin Khan, Azhar Mahmood and Wasim Akram are tremendous hitters and are dangerous when they play their natural games.
These are the batsmen the Lankans will have to lure if they hope to win. The sixes that Ahmed and Inzamam hit were effortless, with marvellous timing that sailed right out of the ground.
Over then to Paarl and a day nighter where it is a make or break situation for Sri Lanka.