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Sri Lanka to learn maheesh theekshana
The off-spinner was still four years away from being born when Arjuna Ranatunga led the Lions to victory in Lahore but is well-versed in the story of their victory.
Sri Lanka must make it through the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe if they are to stand a chance of repeating the feat in India later this year and Theekshana believes it is time for a new generation to stand up.
“No one thought Sri Lanka would win the World Cup in 1996,” Theekshana said. “So it is an inspiration, particularly the way they played as a team.
“We need to get all of this to our generation as well. The way Ranatunga acted as captain, there are a lot of memories there for everyone.
“As a team, we have to do some things as they did in that period of time, but it’s also a new jne
“The way that cricket is going is so different, so I think it is our time to do our best and try and win the World Cup.”
Theekshana expressed disappointment at missing out on automatic progress to the main event, with Sri Lanka finishing two places and 17 points behind South Africa, who took the final qualification spot from the 2020–2023 ICC Cricket World Cup Super League.
The Lions have since moved up to ninth in the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings and enter the Qualifier as the highest-ranked side. They will face Ireland, Scotland and United Arab Emirates, teams they are unbeaten against, in the group stage. But it is Oman, whom Sri Lanka are yet to face in ODIs, who Theekshana believes poses the biggest challenge.
He added: “We don’t know much about them. It is not a big pressure but there is pressure there because we don’t know about their strengths and weaknesses. We just have to bring our A game every time as we don’t know what to expect, so we have to focus on our own game.”
The 22-year-old became the first men’s player born in the 21st century to play for Sri Lanka when he made his debut against South Africa in September 2021, taking a wicket with his first ball as his side won by 78 runs.
Theekshana will look to continue his fruitful partnership with Wanindu Hasaranga when Group B action gets underway on 19 June.
“I have a good partner in Wanindu, we know that opposition teams see him as a world-class bowler,” Theek-shana explained. ”They sometimes try to defend him and try to get runs from me but then I have a chance to get wickets also. I think that is a plus point for the team and for me because I am always getting the chance to add pressure. I know that he will always keep it tight at the other end so it is easy for me to bowl with him, and it is good for the team when he is around.”
Sri Lanka play their opening Group B match against the United Arab Emirates on 19 June at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. After a four-day break, they then face Oman on 23 June, before clashes with Ireland (25 June) and Scotland (27 June). – (ICC)
