They may not have too many trophies to show for their efforts, but since the disappointment of finishing ninth at the 2023 World Cup — which shut the door on Champions Trophy qualification — Sri Lanka have moved on with a real sense of purpose, tightening screws in key areas of their white-ball game.
Fielding and fitness, long the Achilles heel, have been given a serious polish. During the recent Asia Cup in the UAE, the islanders looked the sharpest fielding outfit in the competition — diving, sprinting and cutting off boundaries with the zeal of men possessed. In the 50-over format, particularly, they’ve made giant strides, notching series wins over Australia and India within the last 15 months. Those efforts have hoisted them to fourth in the ICC rankings — a healthy climb up the ladder.
In the Asia Cup, played in the shorter 20-over format, they began with a bang — beating Bangladesh and knocking Afghanistan out of contention — but fizzled out in the Super Four stage, failing to reach the final. The tied game against eventual champions India was a timely reminder of their fighting spirit, with Pathum Nissanka’s sparkling hundred almost steering the former champions across the line.
“We have made a lot of progress in the last 15 months across all three formats, no doubt, but we know we can still be better,” Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya told Telecom Asia Sport. “What we’re looking for during the Pakistan tour is greater consistency.”
Top-order batter Pavan Rathnayake, who has been setting the domestic circuit alight with a flurry of runs, is expected to make his debut in the three-match ODI series starting Tuesday in Rawalpindi.
Sri Lanka will also feature in a tri-nation T20 tournament with hosts Pakistan and Zimbabwe — a handy tune-up before the T20 World Cup, which kicks off in February with Sri Lanka and India as joint hosts.
Firepower has often been Sri Lanka’s missing link in the T20 format. To plug that gap, selectors have recalled the experienced Bhanuka Rajapaksa — a proven six-hitter who could give their batting a much-needed jolt. A solid showing in Pakistan might just book his ticket for the World Cup although his fielding remains a concern.
An injury to star pacer Matheesha Pathirana has opened the door for Asitha Fernando’s return to the T20I side — his first appearance this year.
Sri Lanka have also rung the changes in their backroom staff, replacing the fielding, spin-bowling and batting coaches. The most eye-catching appointment is England’s Julian Wood, the renowned power-hitting guru who has worked with IPL and county sides. His brief is simple: inject explosiveness into a batting line-up that has too often blown hot and cold.
(Telcom Asia Sport)
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