After celebrating victories in Take a look at and ODIs, Sri Lanka hopes to increase its run of success to T20s, with their first showdown towards the West Indies set to start Sunday.
Sri Lanka ended a 27-year dry spell by successful an ODI collection towards India, celebrated a Take a look at victory in England after a decade, and notched their first collection win over New Zealand since 2009.
The West Indies are third within the world T20 rankings, whereas Sri Lanka languishes at a modest eighth.
However a collection win might shake issues up, with the primary of three opening at residence at Dambulla.
“We have turned the tide in Take a look at and ODI cricket, and now it is excessive time to deliver that very same hearth to T20s,” skipper Charith Asalanka advised reporters.
“For those who have a look at our latest collection, we have been enjoying under par. We have tweaked a couple of methods and are rebuilding the squad with a watch on the subsequent World Cup in two years.”
Sri Lanka confirmed the return of hard-hitting middle-order batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa, marking his comeback since January 2022, roped in as a substitute for former captain Dasun Shanaka.
“Bhanuka’s the form of man who can clear the ropes at will, particularly in these crunch dying overs,” Asalanka stated. “He is bought a wealth of T20 expertise, and might maintain his cool when the warmth is on.”
The remaining two T20s towards the West Indies, additionally at Dambulla, can be performed on October 15 and 17.
The T20 collection can be adopted by a three-match ODI collection at Pallekele.
They face a depleted West Indies, who’re lacking key batters like Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, all-rounder Andre Russell, and spin ace Akeal Hosein.
Regardless of their depleted roster, West Indies captain Rovman Powell radiated confidence.
“We’re a stable T20 staff,” he stated.
“We have got two T20 World Cups underneath our belt, and we’re at all times aiming larger,” he added.
“Our energy lies in our energy hitters, and we’re banking on them. On this format, it’s adapt or perish — the staff that catches on rapidly has the sting.”
With Sri Lanka set to co-host the subsequent T20 World Cup alongside India, Powell stated it was key to be taught the circumstances — regardless that the massive occasion is 2 years away.
“This collection is a golden alternative to acclimatize”, he stated. “Sri Lanka isn’t any pushover; they play fierce cricket. It’s going to give us a superb gauge of the place we stand and what to anticipate.”
