Winning HK Cricket Sixes is like clinching a mini World Cup – Madushanka

Sri Lanka Sixes Captain Lahiru Madushanka  

• Bonding and team work, the key to success

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Sri Lanka’s cricket sixes Captain Lahiru Madushanka described winning the Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes was akin to winning a mini World Cup after the team’s triumphant return home from Hong Kong.

Sri Lanka went through the tournament unbeaten winning all five matches including the final against Pakistan to lift the trophy after a lapse of 17 years.

“If you take this tournament it is equivalent to a mini World Cup with 12 countries participating. To become champions in whichever format, I think it’s a big achievement. It is the biggest victory I’ve achieved in my career, and as Captain it’s special,” said Madushanka, who captained a national team for the first time.

“There was pressure on us because we wanted to win. I have been playing with these players for about 8 years or so and I know their capabilities and what role they should play. That made my job as Captain easy.”

“If you take it team wise every side was equally good and the tournament was very competitive. Nepal for instance beat teams like Australia and England.”

Sri Lanka won their two Group D matches against Oman and Bangladesh and advanced to the quarter-finals beating Nepal before meeting Bangladesh again in the semi-finals.

“The semi-final against Bangladesh was the toughest match for us. Apart from that we won very easily against strong teams because our bowling was good. Bangladesh were the only team to score over 100 against us. Bowling was our special weapon in the tournament,” Madushanka said. “Our fielding was also exceptional. We were the best fielding side in the competition. Although we missed two catches, our ground fielding was excellent. There was very good team work.”

The two bowlers who stood out in the tournament were fast bowling all-rounder Dhananjaya Lakshan and ambidextrous spinner 

Tharindu Ratnayake.  

“Lakshan always brought us that bowling momentum by capturing a wicket or two in the first over. By doing so he uplifted the entire bowling unit. I have played with him for CDB in Mercantile 6-a-side matches. I know what he is capable of. He always opens the bowling.”

“Ratnayake also bowled well to take wickets in the middle overs, which is not easy. He bowled a sensational spell in the semi-finals against Bangladesh taking 4 wickets. If you can take 4 wickets in a six-a-side game it is unique, and he can bowl with bowl arms. I got contributions from all six players to win the title.”

In the batting Madushanka praised the contribution made by Sandun Weerakkody. “His contribution with the bat was valuable towards us winning the championship. He scored 2 fifties and he shared his experience from behind the wicket giving vital information to the bowlers. He is a senior player who has played for the country.”

Madushanka spoke of an unusual bonding amongst the players, the manager and the liaison officers which played a big part in the win.

“Credit should be given to the manager (Samantha Dodanwela) who did a good job in bonding the team together without adhering to any strict rules but keeping everything simple.”

“From the manager downwards our goal was to win the championship. We went to play serious cricket, there was no one in the team who wanted to lose. The squad comprised players who had performed well at domestic level for a number of years. We planned match by match on the bowling and batting how we should approach. We got two other Sri Lankans in Hong Kong as liaison officers who gave us their fullest support. It was the teamwork of the 10 of us which made us successful.”

Madushanka (32) represented Sri Lanka in 4 ODIs in 2017 and in 3 T20Is between 2019 and 2021. He missed out playing in the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE after being selected when he fractured his collarbone diving for the ball while fielding in a match.

“I lost my chance and was never selected thereafter.”