Top order batsmen played a key role in our success, says Asalanka
Our top order batsmen batted really well and they gave their best shot in the final T -20 game during the chase of 163 runs .We chased their total with nine wickets in hand in 18 overs and it was a really good effort from the three batsmen Pathum Nissanka ,Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera said Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka who gave fine leadership throughout the series .
We made good plans before the match and it was well executed said Skipper Charith .I think my players gave their maximum support to the team which gave this victory to seal the first ever series win against West Indies which gave a big boost to us ..
We played good cricket even against India in the previous T -20 series and we just needed a bit of momentum and we did that in the second game at Dambulla to beat Caribbeans. I was not concerned about them winning the toss but when they scored more than 160, I was a bit worried
.However I knew if our top order batted well, we could do well and they attacked really well during the power play .That was the plan from both openers I am really happy for winning the series and I want to thank every fan of Sri Lanka, for supporting us to get this historic series win added Skipper Asalanka .
Sri Lanka skipper said now we have established permanent places for the players and their back up players also on the bench .Our bench strength also very good and this is what we expected to get success .We had to fill lower middle order and brought Bhanuka Rajapaksa and this is going to be successful in future he said.
Spin is our main strength and this type of spin favouring wicket always give more success .Our pacemen also did good job and gave their best but they have to improve . We had planned to restrict them for 140 but they got momentum to add 25 runs in 15 th over to increase the total to 162 .However we realized the wicket is good and our openers can make good start to chase the total .They batted very positively to chase the total .I think all players gave their best effort to get success and this is a very good move.
Pathum Nissanka had a minor injury but he did his job very well .I think he will fully recover before the ODI series.We can’t blame this wicket and it is good despite we lost the first game added Asalanka. Our coach Sanath Jayasuriya always tried to give freedom for the players and wanted to see their natural talent .
Meanwhile West Indies skipper Rovman Powell said we had enough runs. Before the start of the game, if you said we would get 160 on a turning wicket, we would have taken it. But all credit should go to Sri Lanka.Their openers took control in the power play, Our bowlers couldn’t control the game during the power play . Gave away 60-70 in the power play which made it tough to come back . Sri Lankan spinners did a good job and we knew it would be a battle of the spinners, about who bowled better and who batted better to get success added skipper Powell .
I think lot of positives during this series when you come to Sri Lanka and push them. My players put in a good effort, our fast bowlers bowled well on these tracks. ,Our players showed we can play against spin. Want to say thanks to the people of Sri Lanka. They have been very nice to us as a touring time concluded skipper Rovman Powell.
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