Sri Lanka led by Wanindu Hasaranga wanted to start with winning mentality when they meet South Africa in their first group match of the T-20 World Cup cricket tournament which will be played today at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium New York, commencing at 8 pm (Sri Lanka time).

Wanindu Hasaranga who is presently top of the ICC T-20 all rounder ranking as well as second of the ICC T-20 bowling ranking is confident about his team to play against South Africa led by Aiden Markram. I think we are in good shape before this South Africa match having beaten Ireland by 41 runs last Friday Sri Lanka team are more focused on this crucial South Africa game said skipper Wanindu Hasaranga who is having responsibility to led the side first time at ICC World Cup. However having beat Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Bangladesh recently at this format South Africa is going to be big challenge.

It was a good move to travel here in USA in advance to get use to the conditions. During two warm up games against Netherlands and Ireland we were more focused to adjust to the conditions than the match decision. The seniors like Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Kusal Mendis, Dushmantha Chameera have more responsibility while juniors have to support them added Sri Lanka team official.

Few players Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara and Matheesha Pathirana joined the team after IPL which gave big boost to them in this T-20 format. However the environment is different and the team which will do less mistakes can win the game. The supporting staff giving their much needed support to the team while team Manager Mahinda Halangoda always does his part to get success. In addition SLC High Performance Consultant Sanath Jayasuriya with the team to motivate them.

Sri Lanka team is not finalised yet and team will be picked today after observing the wicket in New York. The dropping wicket is new experience for both sides but Chairman of the Selectors Upul Tharanga thought it can be a slow wicket.

The seniors like Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka already proved their ability Mathews can open the bowling and his service as a middle order batter very important. He always takes time to settle and then accelerate the innings and in Ireland game he hit two sixes and a four in the last over to build up the innings. Former skipper and all rounder Dasun Shanaka’s form is very vital for Sri Lanka team. He took 4 for 23 in warm up Ireland game while hit 30s at both matches and he can make power hitting at any time.

Skipper Wanindu Hasaranga is doing floating batter part and any stage he can bat to accelerate the innings and if he fails to do that Dasun and Angelo Mathews have to do that part and more important is top order have to set up a good foundation and they have big challenge against South Africa bowlers.

Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka the openers, Kamindu Mendis and Charith Asalanka the deputy skipper have to build up the innings. Dhananjaya de Silva and Sadeera Samarawickrama are fighting for a place but experience wise Dhananjaya proved his ability.

Sri Lanka have very strong bowling department with various style of bowlers and they have to select best combination for today’s game. Two seamers most probably Matheesha Pathirana and experienced Dushmantha Chameera while Dilshan Madushanka the left arm paceman also fighting for a place. Two seamers with Maheesh Theekshana or three seamers with Wanindu Hasaranga is the choice and final decision going to be today Quinton de Kock, Heinrich Klaasen, Reeza Hendricks, David Miller have IPL exposure which is plus point before this T-20 World Cup. Proteas batting line up is more powerful and Sri Lanka bowlers have to face this challenge but slinger action paceman Matheesha Pathirana is the dangerous bowler especially in death overs and his contribution is more vital for Sri Lanka team.

The experience of Dushmantha Chameera always give more boost to Sri Lanka pace attack while Proteas seamers Kagiso Rabada, Gerard Coetzee, Marco Jansen also very effective bowlers and spinners like Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Samsi also give good support to the seamers.