Sri Lanka eye important win in T20 WC opener
Sri Lanka has not been this confident ahead of a major international tournament for at least a decade. As they prepare to take on South Africa in their first Group ‘D’ clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in New York, they will look to transform this confidence into a strong performance to kick off their campaign in style.
After spending two weeks in the USA to acclimatise, Sri Lanka enters the tournament with a point to prove, having faltered in recent editions despite their illustrious T20 World Cup history. They were runners-up in the 2009 and 2011 competitions and won the title in 2014 by beating India in a low-scoring final.
“I think we are in a very good place today,” said Sanath Jayasuriya, who is travelling with the team as a consultant.
“It was a very good move to travel here well in advance to get used to the conditions, and that really helps the players. The confidence levels are very high as we have a very good all-round team, and it’s now up to the players to transform all their training into performance in crunch situations.”
Dasun Shanaka (above pic) was in form against Ireland in the warm-up game, while Matheesha Pathirana will be one of the factors for Sri Lanka
Having beaten Ireland by 41 runs, with Dasun Shanaka starring with both bat and ball, Sri Lanka left for Dallas last Friday evening (USA time) to prepare for their first match on Monday.
Led by Wanindu Hasaranga, the team boasts a mix of experience and youth, with players like Kusal Mendis, Dasun Shanaka and Angelo Mathews providing stability. However, it’s the emergence of talents like Matheesha Pathirana that adds intrigue to Sri Lanka’s campaign. With a bowling style reminiscent of Lasith Malinga, Pathirana’s raw pace and yorkers could be a game-changer for the island nation. The squad also includes left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka, another slinger in Nuwan Thushara, and experienced seamer Dushmantha Chameera.
“It’s difficult to finalise the combination at this point as we have not seen the pitches. We will be playing on drop-in pitches, and what we’ve heard is that they are on the slower side. So, we need to assess the conditions and then make a call on the final combination,” Jayasuriya explained.
However, it’s likely that Sri Lanka will go with a mix of five batsmen, three all-rounders and three bowlers. The main question is the bowling combination—whether it should be two seamers and Maheesh Theekshana or three seamers with Wanindu Hasaranga leading the spin attack, supported by part-time options like Charith Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis.
Pathirana’s battle against the formidable South African batting lineup promises to be a highlight of the match. If the young seamer can replicate his IPL form and unsettle the Proteas’ top order, Sri Lanka could gain the upper hand.
“We have a bowling unit that can defend a good total, and if two or three batsmen can convert their starts into big scores, we can challenge any team,” said Jayasuriya optimistically.
The Proteas enter the tournament as the highest-ranked team in Group ‘D’, carrying the burden of expectations as title contenders. Led by the seasoned Aiden Markram, the Proteas boast a formidable lineup featuring the likes of Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen while David Miller. Klaasen, in particular, stands out with his explosive batting prowess, backed by an impressive IPL season.
South Africa’s bowling unit is equally formidable. Spearheaded by Kagiso Rabada and supported by spinners Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi, they possess a well-rounded attack capable of dismantling any opposition.
However, a notable absence in the South African squad is a genuine all-rounder, a void that could be exploited by astute opponents. Klaasen’s recent form makes him a player to watch in the tournament. With staggering numbers and a penchant for dominating spinners, his performances could prove decisive in South Africa’s campaign.
In addition to Sri Lanka and South Africa, Group D also includes, Bangladesh, Netherlands and Nepal where only the top two teams qualify for the Super Eights.