Triumphs, Challenges and World Cup Dreams
BY Allaam Ousman
Sri Lanka’s cricketing journey embodies a tale of triumphs and challenges; it reflects the nation’s unwavering resilience and deep-seated passion for the sport.
The journey to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup saw Sri Lanka engage in pivotal matches – including a T20 series against Zimbabwe comprising three matches in Colombo, Afghanistan in a one-off Test match and six white ball encounters – all serving as crucial preparation for the World Cup.
This historic edition marks the first time the T20 tournament will be jointly hosted in the US and West Indies. Placed in Group D alongside South Africa, Bangladesh, Netherlands and Nepal, the Sri Lankans commence their campaign with a match against South Africa on 3 June in New York, not far from the Big Apple.
With 20 teams vying for the coveted title, the tournament features an exhilarating lineup of games divided into four groups, culminating in the grand finale scheduled for 29 June in Barbados.
As Sri Lanka braces itself for the challenges ahead, the reverberations of past triumphs echo and kindle hopes of another momentous victory. It’s been a decade since we last lifted a World Cup!
In March, Sri Lanka’s T20 record stood at 85 victories, 98 defeats, four ties and two no results out of 189 matches, illustrating a winning percentage of nearly 47 percent.
And in the lead up to the 2024 T20 World Cup, newly appointed short format captain Wanindu Hasaranga highlighted the dire need for exceptional fielding as a critical concern. Hasaranga’s plea for attention to fielding followed an exceptional performance when he registered a career best of 7-19 against Zimbabwe.
Despite Sri Lanka’s cricketing prowess, poor fielding has persistently plagued our white ball cricket as evidenced by a lacklustre performance in last year’s ODI World Cup in India. The team dropped as many as 16 catches, leading to a disappointing second to last place finish on the points table, which meant that for the first time, Sri Lanka will not feature in next year’s Champions Trophy.
Hasaranga underscored the non-negotiable mindset towards fielding, emphasising that regardless of batting or bowling strength, subpar fielding will invariably impede the team’s success. With five months remaining until the World Cup at the time, he said that fielding is an area that’s ripe for improvement and acknowledged its undeniable impact on T20 cricket outcomes.
His return to international cricket after a six month hiatus due to a hamstring injury was marked by a stellar performance at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s new selectors are opting for familiar faces and seasoned skills over the untested energy of youth.
Reminiscing about Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup victory in 2014 brings back cherished memories. Captain of the 2014 champion team Lasith Malinga also wishes to see Sri Lanka clinch another World Cup title, and echoes the sentiments of cricketing legends Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara and Rangana Herath.
Reflecting on their shared determination to seize the ultimate prize, Jayawardene and Sangakkara recalled the euphoria of their triumph, and its significance for Sri Lankan cricket and its fervent supporters. Jayawardene recounted the determination that Sangakkara and he shared to win, having fallen short in previous attempts in the two short formats of the game.
The partnership between Sangakkara and Jayawardene, both renowned for their contrasting yet complementary batting styles, was instrumental in guiding Sri Lanka to victory.
In the final showdown against India, Sangakkara’s crucial innings, and the finishing prowess of Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera, ensured Sri Lanka’s triumph.
Despite initial doubts about his form, Sangakkara played a pivotal role in the victory – a fact that he acknowledges with gratitude: “I was out of form and had actually spoken to the captain and Mahela, and wanted to opt out; but they persuaded me to play and that spurred me, for which I’m grateful.”
This triumph marked the remarkable culmination of their T20 careers for his team and himself, and a testimony to their perseverance and skills on the global stage. “After several flings that had fallen short of cup glory, Sanga and I resolved that this was it for the two of us to achieve the ultimate,” Jayawardene recalls.
Virat Kohli’s impressive 77 runs off 58 balls couldn’t prevent India from posting a modest total of 130 for 4. Sri Lanka’s batting, led by the experienced hands of Tillakaratne Dilshan and Jayawardene, set the tone early on.
And Sangakkara’s resolute innings, pacing himself perfectly and keeping the scoreboard ticking, ensured there was little tension as they chased down the target. His 52 runs off 35 balls epitomised a fierce determination and leadership on the grand stage.
For years, Sri Lanka were perennial contenders in limited overs tournaments, displaying diligence, intelligence, competitiveness and skill but often falling short at the last hurdle – four previous finals since 2007 (two each in ODI and T20 World Cups) ended in defeat.
Amid the anticipation and excitement, former all-rounder Thisara Perera expresses confidence in India’s prospects to lift the trophy while tipping Sri Lanka to make giant strides in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Commenting on Sri Lanka’s chances in the tournament, Perera feels the team is heading in the right direction and has the potential to achieve something significant. Sri Lanka boasts a strong history in T20 World Cup tournaments, having finished as runners-up twice in 2009 and 2012, and winning the title in 2014.
Perera is optimistic about Sri Lanka’s current form and suggests that the growing winning habit bodes well for the national cricket team. With the team taking positive strides, Perera hopes they will deliver a memorable performance in the United States and West Indies.
Sri Lanka will be banking on the experience of Mathews who will be eyeing another World Cup winners’ medal.
“Cricket has taught me a lot over the last 15 years. I try to control what I can control; and I try to shut myself down from negativity. I’m not trying to prove anything to anyone. At the end of the day, it’s an honour to represent my country and at any given time, I take it as a challenge – and try and use the experience I’ve gathered over the last 15-16 years,” Mathews explains.
Mathews stepped in to fill the void caused by an injury to pacer Matheesha Pathirana at the ODI World Cup in India last year, which saw him embark on his comeback trail.
“We can make a statement at the World Cup,” the veteran all-rounder says. He made a memorable comeback to T20I cricket after a lapse of three years by bagging the Player of the Series award in the three match series against Zimbabwe, which Sri Lanka won 2-1.