Asia Cup 2022

Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka lamented his side’s inability to recover from the early setback

By Shanuka Aravinda reporting from Dubai

Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka said that failing to recover after losing three wickets in the first two overs resulted in the crushing defeat of Sri Lanka against Afghanistan. 

Speaking at the post-match press conference, he said, “When we lose three wickets in the first two overs, it is difficult to get back into the game, especially in a T20 match. This has happened to us repeatedly in the past. Losing is a normal thing, but our team does not deserve such a defeat.”

Limiting Sri Lanka to 13 runs in the first four overs, Afghanistan’s opening bowlers dismissed Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, and Pathum Nissanka comfortably. Sri Lankan batters could only score two fours during those four overs. 

“They bowled well with the new ball, but we have no excuse. As batters, we have to be prepared to bat in any condition. We saw that Farooqi swung the ball both ways. Naveen also swung the ball. We need to ask our batters whether they were ready for those players.”

Nissanka was declared out when there was enough evidence to prove otherwise in a decision made by third umpire Jayaraman Madangopal, which sparked controversy. The game carried on as replays did not show a spike as the ball went past the bat.

Farooqi was ready to bowl and Dhanushka Gunathilaka and Nissanka were ready to bat when Pathum was declared out by the third umpire. He had to walk back in disbelief and Sri Lanka lost a chance to call for a DRS decision. 

“It is a huge loss that we cannot take the right decisions despite the presence of such state-of-the-art technology. The Sri Lankan team had to face a lot of similar experiences and we are sorry for that. Such incidents are likely to push us backwards as a team.” 
Gunathilaka, who usually plays as an opener, came to bat at number four. But he was dismissed on 17 by Mujeeb Ur Rahman. 

“Danushka did not perform well recently. We wanted to see if he would perform better as a middle-order batsman. When he transitioned from U-19 to club cricket, he was a middle-order batsman and later changed to an opening batter,” Shanaka added.

“We need a strong player for the middle-order in T20 matches. For example, Mathew Wade, who came as an opening batter, made a huge difference during the previous World Cup as a middle-order batsman for Australia. Danushka too can score well. That is why we tested with him,” Shanaka concluded.