Former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene on Wednesday, September 14 urged Dasun Shanaka’s men to aim for the top prize in the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia, saying they should think nothing more after gaining momentum in the Asia Cup .
Mahela Jayawardene said he believes Sri Lanka has the potential to play fearless cricket and play without any expectation of burden despite winning the Asia Cup 2022 in the UAE in September.
Sri Lanka pulled out a big surprise By rallying against the odds to win the Asia Cup, which was seen as a major tune-up for the T20 World Cup. Not many gave Sri Lanka a chance as the build-up to the continental tournament focused only on India and Pakistan, but the islanders defeated both big names in Asian cricket to qualify for the final.
Sri Lanka fought from behind at every stage of the competition, looking for new heroes in every outing under a motivated and calm leader in Shanaka. Sri Lanka were defeated by Afghanistan in their first match of the Asia Cup and they qualified for the Super 4 by defeating Bangladesh in a thrilling encounter. Sri Lanka were immaculate in the Super 4 stage and scored 58 for 5 after beating Pakistan in the big final.
Sri Lanka may have won only two out of 11 matches in bilateral series since the last T20 World Cup, but Jayawardene believes an Asia Cup win should give Australia the confidence to chase down the target for the title. The Asia Cup champions will have to play in the first round like last year and qualify for the Super 12 stage.
“If they rely on what they have achieved in the last (T20) World Cup and then now the Asia Cup, then I think they should look at nothing but winning the World Cup,” Jayawardene said. Told ICC.
“I mean this is the attitude and this is a group that I think will play without any fear and no extra baggage on them, so just go out there and enjoy your cricket and play.”
Jayawardene highlighted Sri Lanka’s underdog tag in the Asia Cup and said that the islanders have the talent to challenge the big names but only need confidence to move forward.
start important
The former captain also emphasized that the way Sri Lanka begin the T20 World Cup campaign and the way they adapt to the down conditions will play a key role in how far the tournament goes.
Jayawardene said, “The start of the World Cup is going to be very important for him as he needs to get the momentum and adapt himself to the conditions.”
“But I’m very confident that they are capable of doing that.”
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