Saying "We told you so" is not needed, but some of us who believe that slogging is not needed in T-20 cricket, despite the media hype, were proved right as Sri Lanka’s batsmen gave away the World T20 Cup.

The batting crumbled like cream crackers after the top order fell to slog and silly strokes – experienced batsmen gone crackers or did they crack under pressure?

Pakistan was the underdog but dangerous as they were fired up by national pride and the recent wounds inflicted on their country and its cricket.

Ajantha Mendis

The omens were there to see: On paper SL was strong in bowling based on the three M’s – Malinga, Mendis and Murali. Pakistan batting was stronger in quality and depth and, as it turned out, in its mental strength. S L batting was brilliant at times, sporadic but not consistent with two hitters opening the batting and with the tail actually starting at number five!

Batting first the openers failed (not unexpectedly) when they needed to be consistent. In T20 cricket consistency and stability are as important as fast scoring and slogging. Dilshan’s first over slog dismissal to a pre-planned short ball plan was senseless.

A sensible batsman will adjust and contain himself but his recent successful slogging has seemingly gone to his head. Reports of his pre-match nets consisting only of slogging every ball out of sight (and unto groundmen’s heads), mirror his statement that he enjoys hitting and it does not matter what format – T20, ODI’s or Tests- he will hit everything.

What a way to prepare for a World final when any sensible batsman and team management should know that the opposition’s bowling will plan for this? And plan they did!

Jayasuriya’s dismissal soon after, shows he has been hoisted by his own petard. Years of intelligent Pinch Hitting won fame for him and his country. Now tables are turned as the bowling is now controlled and targeted - no longer feeding his strengths - wide, full or short. Highly stressed the longer he was contained, he resorted to desperate bottom-handed slogging instead of the beautiful drives and flick drives he used to play.

Mubarak’s surprise elevation to number 3 was more shocking than his second ball slog dismissal. Was this the coach’s or captain’s decision? It smacks of panic or indecision. If it were to protect the captain at no 3 then it’s a sign of weakness and that’s a wrong signal to give to the opposition.

The captain stated that Mubarak’s "confidence facing fast bowlers" was the reason. Is this how the batting order is selected? Come on Capt Kumar, this is what we did in street cricket. In serious cricket the batting plan is agreed by the coach and captain - not just the whims of a player or of the captain, previous captain, coach or his shadows.

Jayawardena’s dismissal, the fourth wicket senselessly given away with the score at 32 was not a soft shot- it was a no shot. This open face "nurdle" through the slips may give a few runs but why not play the late cut (which he never plays) with the bat coming DOWN (not sideways) and which yields runs with no risk?

Chamara Silva came in and soon went. What is he doing batting at five or: What is he doing in the team? His technical deficiencies are well known and if no one in the coaching setup can correct them why pick him?

Who sent in Udana to bat at number seven above Mathews (whom the Captain praises)? Was Udana identified as a better batsman than Maharoof, De saram or Mathews?

The issues of team selection and the batting order are baffling. Cricket supporters should be treated with more respect and honesty and answers are needed why selection seems to be based on "machan" and not merit.

Why were not Maharoof (experienced all rounder); Kulasekera (the best ODI pace bowler) and De saram given a chance? Are these selections made by the coach or the captain? How much input does the previous captain or other persons have?

Why was the coach not briefing the media instead of the captain and ex-captain? Capt Kumar and Ex Capt Mahela were making media pronouncements using the royal "We" instead of the national coach.

The captain is said to be an intelligent and smart captain but why the intellectual spin and evasion: he has not once accepted the batsmen were failing- only smug clichés about partnerships and momentum? "Our batsmen could not put up partnerships. The only difference was Afridi, a completely different batsman who was thinking more than before."

Capt Smart did not blame his batsmen but you don’t need a PHD to know that bad batting technique will result in low partnerships; and Afridi was "different" because he used his mental strength and well concealed character to curtail his addiction for "hitting at everything".

Ex- Capt Mahela’s media interviews also showed smug overconfidence and disdain. Peaking too early? "We don’t believe in peaking" he said. Batting is weak? "No. we only believe in building up momentum". Batting failures? "This is only a blip; ok as Dilshan is on song"

The Captain’s and ex-captain’s condescending attitudes to the interviewers and their evasive answers to their public are demeaning to the interviewers and insulting the intelligence of the millions of their followers.