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Wednesday, 12 February 2014 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Ajantha Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Angelo Perera and Sachithra Senanayake, all members of the Sri Lanka Twenty20 team, have played for different clubs in the domestic competition. Dilshan made one fifty in four games, with an average of 37.00, playing for Mohammedan Sporting Club. In 2013, he made 154 runs at 25.66 in seven matches for BPL winners Dhaka Gladiators.
“We played a lot of cricket here on and off,” Dilshan said. “But technology is there so we keep an eye on the newcomers. We have to play good cricket on the particular day, especially in T20 cricket. We can’t make any mistakes. It is important to be on for all 40 overs. With one month left for the World Cup, this is good for both teams.
“Every single game playing now is important for us before the World T20s. We have to get prepared with the conditions and weather.”
Sri Lanka has a good mix of young and experienced players, with Angelo Perera the new face. Dilshan, who will open with Kusal Perera, had words of praise for Dinesh Chandimal, the captain.
“I think (Chandimal) has done really well in last few series,” he said. “He is learning every single game. I think it is good to give a youngster opportunity, and he is proving to be a good captain so far.
“Kusal (Perera) is a fine youngster we found. I am seeing his batting in the last two series. He is a specialist at giving a good start. It is helpful for me as well, the way he goes after the bowling in the first few overs. He puts the pressure on the bowler. Sachitra (Senanayake) is a very good offspinner. It is a very good bunch.”
Bangladesh unaffected by Tamim issue
Mortaza was announced as captain hours after the end of the drawn second Test. However, the Bangladesh’s match-saving performance was soured by Tamim pulling out of the deputy’s role, explained in public as a decision to ease his game but it was a slight to his persona.
“The captain was not immediately announced after Mushfiqur Rahim was out injured. At that point it was our focus that those of us who are here, we have to play as a team,” Mortaza said. “When the board let me know, we were all there. We are all professional cricketers and it didn’t affect us. It’s only natural for it to be spoken of outside but amongst us we didn’t face any frictions. “I have been given the duty so I feel that it is my duty. At the same time, Tamim and other senior players  are helping me and everything is happening in a professional manner.”
There were reports that Mortaza had to spend time with Tamim to clear the air, but the makeshift captain dismissed them. He also explained that the media ban was to protect the new players from speculation.
“To be honest, I didn’t have to speak with him separately because he is a very professional cricketer and he has played all around the world. He knows the process very well. I want to tell all the fans of Bangladesh that we haven’t been concerned at all regarding this issue.
“We are together united as a team and we are focused completely on the match tomorrow. This was no problem at all. The reason behind the ban against speaking to the media was that we have plenty of young players in our side, so that they can be prepared and concentrate during practice. We have some uncapped players, so that they could concentrate more on practice.”
Despite all the talk, Tamim’s neck-strain hasn’t healed and during practice on the eve of the match, he had a light knock. It will be touch-and-go and his participation in the game will hinge on a last-minute call made by the team’s physio. |
