Sri Lanka Cricket team led by Dasun Shanaka is keen to continue their winning streak before the final when they meet Pakistan at the last super four game at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium commence today at 7.30pm (Sri Lanka time).
Both teams have qualified to play in the final on Sunday (11) at the same venue in Dubai while the two teams are expected get pre final exposure today.
Asked what about the team plans a senior official of the team management said we never take it lightly and wanted go at full strength to win to get more confidence. We started this tournament in UAE as under dogs but we beat Afghanistan, Bangladesh and more fancied India while winning against India gave big boost to us. Actually India has played more than 65-70 T-20 matches including IPL. But we played 20-25 matches that’s why beating India gave big morale .The seniors have big responsibility while youngsters have to go with them.
Sri Lanka have plus points with inform batters Pathum Nissanka,Kusal Mendis, Dasun Shanaka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa while Chamika Karunaratne and Wanindu Hasaranga are their key all rounders .
However the big worry is Vice Captain Charith Asalanka who was the number three batter having poor records at the last four matches.
Actually Charith Asalanka is a prolific scorer and was appointed as Vice Captain to be groomed for next captaincy.
Our main focus on next T 20 world cup that’s why at this stage we leave out the Asalanka and give time to get his form .We have an idea to give chance to Dhananjaya de Silva while also looking to replace young Asitha Fernando who was punished by Indians said an official of the team management.
The young paceman Matheesha Pathirana played only one game against Afganistan which was the first league game Sri Lanka’ s only losing match and Promod Madushan the 28 year old right arm medium paceman from Theraputtha MV Hambantota who is yet to play T20 and got chance to play solitary ODI against Australia last July are fighting for place of Asitha Fernando while Madushan has more experience having played 31 first class matches is most probably going to make T20 debut today.
This is good opportunity for the Sri Lankan team before the T20 world cup their preparation is good and hope to do well in future and as a team they are in good shape and this is positives from this tournament.
Pakistan led by Babar Azam is likely to get good form and back to the runs before the final. The skipper himself was not in good form as a opener wanted to get runs today before the final.The wicket keeper Mohammed Rizwan is the top form batter of this tournament while Sri Lanka mainly focus on Rizwan and if they will get Rizwan wicket quickly that is going to be a huge success of Sri Lanka team.
The two teams are officially not yet announced their final teams while Sri Lanka team had to get their final training sessions yesterday night and they will pick their final eleven after the training session.
Pakistan team was rested yesterday with out training session after thrilling one wicket win over Afganistan on previous day in Sharjah.The Pakistan wicket keeper Mohammed Rizwan had a leg injury but he is getting treatment but he is very keen to play today’s game .The leg spinner Shadab Khan was in terrific form in their last game against Afghanistan while he scored 26 ball 36 runs to build up the innings and his leg spin bowling also a threat to Sri Lanka team. Actually Pakistan super series held in UAE gave much needed exposure for us said previous game man of the match Sadab Khan.
The skipper Babar Azam said fast bowler Naseem Shah struck back to back two sixes in the last over of the Afghanistan match helped to enter the final while this 19 year old young paceman shown his potential very well.We couldn’t build the good partnership in the last game and wanted to correct that before the important final.
Actually Nazeem Shah finished the game amazing.I have seen Nazeem bat like this.So I had little bit of belief. This reminded me of Pakistan legend Javed Miandad’ s six in Sharjah in 1986.
The player like Rizwan who is the number one ICC T-20 batter at the latest ranking is the vital wicket for Sri Lanka.The way Dilshsn Madushanka got the wicket of Virat Kholi at the last game he can be the same type of dangerous bowler today. Wanidu Hasaranga the experience spinner couldn’t get wickets last games but given away less runs in his 4 overs and Hasaranga also keen to get wickets and it will good for Sri Lanka before the final.
D.