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Saturday Nov 16, 2024
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Afghanistan cricketers during a warm-up session in Hambantota
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| Dushan Hemantha |
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| Matheesha Pathirana |
By Sa’adi Thawfeeq
Sri Lanka are due to hand ODI debut caps to fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana and leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha when they begin their preparations to qualify for the 2023 Cricket World Cup with a three-match series against Afghanistan at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota commencing 10 a.m. today.
Pathirana (20) who made a huge impact in the recently concluded IPL for champions Chennai Super Kings has played for Sri Lanka in one T20I against Afghanistan in an Asia Cup match in Dubai last year, while for Hemantha (29) this will be his first international cap in any format.
“Hemantha has come into the squad because of an injury to Wanindu (Hasaranga). He has a very good opportunity to play tomorrow,” said Sri Lanka’s white ball skipper Dasun Shanaka who was one of several Sri Lankan players who returned after playing in the IPL. “If you talk about Matheesha he has the experience of playing for Sri Lanka from the under 17 age group. From the experience of playing for Sri Lanka only he managed to go to the IPL. Especially, when you talk about the IPL, it is a place for unorthodox bowlers to gain prominence. Although Matheesha was not highlighted much when he represented Sri Lanka the chances of being highlighted in the IPL is very high. He has been with the Sri Lanka squad right throughout. He toured New Zealand with the national T20 team but unfortunately he could not play because he was struck down by Covid. We are definitely going to play him tomorrow.” Pathirana will form a three-man seam attack with Dushmantha Chameera and either Lahiru Kumara or Kasun Rajitha.
“Primarily we are targeting this series for the World Cup Qualifiers. We are looking to go with 2-3 different combinations during the series. We have not played at this venue for quite some time and it’s a new wicket. We are likely to play three seamers,” said Shanaka at the pre-match media briefing.
The Lankan captain welcomed the return of two experienced campaigners Angelo Mathews and Dimuth Karunaratne to the white ball team. “Mathews was with us in New Zealand. If we are to get big totals the support of Angelo and Dimuth is essential. Dimuth has been our Test captain for some time and has scored heavily. In the recent past we looked at youngsters that’s why they were left out of the ODI squads. I hope their presence in the team will make us a much stronger unit,” Shanaka said.
With Afghanistan’s main spin all-rounder Rashid Khan struggling with an injured back, the series will be sans two key T20I bowlers Hasaranga and Rashid who have been contesting the number one ranking spot over the years. Rashid’s absence is something that Sri Lanka can capitalise on and make the most of during the series.
“Rashid Khan has a back niggle. He will miss the first two games,” said Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi. “He is our main bowler, our superstar bowler. We will miss him but at the same time it’s a good opportunity for the other youngsters to show their talent. Rashid is one of our main players and we should keep him for the future games, especially for the Asia Cup and the World Cup.” “This series is good preparation for us ahead of the World Cup because conditions in Sri Lanka and in India are the same, it will not change. This series is also good to try out our team combinations. We haven’t played here but some of the boys played league cricket here. I have spoken to them with regard to the conditions and the pitches which I hope will help us in these games.” Last November, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan shared the three-match ODI series played at Pallekele one-all with one no-result. Overall, the two countries have met each other on seven occasions with Sri Lanka winning four, Afghanistan two and one no-result. This is only the second bilateral ODI series between the two sides.
The second and third ODIs are scheduled for 4 and 7 June.
