Sri Lanka’s T20 captain Dasun Shanaka has acknowledged the long-standing struggles of the team’s middle order while expressing confidence that the upcoming T20 World Cup will provide the platform for a turnaround.
“Middle-order collapses have been an issue for us for a long time. There are clear problems with the pitches as well. If you look closely, you can understand why wickets fall in clusters and why strike rates remain low,” Shanaka said ahead of their World Cup opener against Ireland “For this tournament, the ICC has stipulated a minimum level of grass on the pitches, and I am confident that this will lead to improved strike rates and better batting performances.” Si Lanka play Ireland in their Group opening clash on Sunday at 7pm at the R Premadasa Stadium.
Shanaka, stressed the importance of playing on tracks that allow batters to express themselves. “Personally, I prefer playing on good batting tracks, something that becomes difficult on excessively turning pitches. A lot of people speak negatively about me because of this. If you look at India, they consistently score runs. The question then is why Indian batters are able to do so while we struggle. It largely comes down to conditions.”
The skipper is optimistic that this World Cup will be a defining moment for the team’s batting. “I am confident these numbers will change significantly during this tournament. Only then can a fair assessment be made by comparing our performances before and after the tournament. I truly believe this will be a good tournament for our batters.”
On the topic of pitch preparation, Shanaka admitted that he was not fully aware of the reasoning behind the team’s previous preference for spin-friendly tracks. “I was appointed captain recently, so I am not fully aware of the earlier plans. In my opinion, batting on flatter wickets is more beneficial. Yes, we have quality spinners, but so do other teams. Preparing balanced, 50–50 wickets will help our players in the long run.”
Shanaka also expressed confidence in his team’s overall balance. “I have a great deal of confidence in this team. Our two fast bowlers are bowling very well, and the spinners are performing strongly too. In the batting department, Pathum’s role is crucial, as is Kusal Mendis. Kusal Janith, Kamil Mishara, Charith, and Kamindu Mendis have all been consistent performers. They have played league cricket around the world and gained valuable experience. As captain, if I can fulfil my role as a finisher, I believe we can do well.”
