Sri Lankan top-order batsman Kusal Perera will be his nation’s main man once the side competes in the Asia Cup 2018. Starting on September 15, the Lankans will take on Bangladesh in the opener in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He also keeps wickets and is likely to play a vital role if his side is to win yet another coveted trophy.
Perera has proved his mettle across formats for the Islanders. He feels he can contribute and play according to situations. With so much Twenty20 cricket happening around the globe, he is very much in demand. And the batsman credits the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) for all that is coming to his kitty.
Perera credits IPL:
“The IPL is a big advantage for us because we get to know the bowlers and batters around the world very well,” he said.
“We also could get to know how they are playing and managing the different situations. So we can learn a lot. (Lasith) Malinga is playing a lot in the IPL. We are using him to gain some advantage from his knowledge too,” Perera added.
Perera sounded confident about his team’s chances. They are placed in a group along with Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
“As a team, we are very confident, we have backed ourselves very well. We have done our homework,” he said after a hard work out at the ICC Academy.
Perera revealed that his team is trying to keep things simple against Bangladesh.
“We are taking one game at a time. As we are facing Bangladesh we are trying to give it our best shot and will see how the result goes,” he said.
Perera also said that no such injuries are stopping him from playing at his best. It will come as good news for his fans.
“As a team, we are in very good form. We have backed ourselves very well,” he said. I am fully fit now. I had several injuries and I have recovered well and now is 100 per cent fit for the challenge,” he concluded.
The prominent face from Sri Lanka, Kusal Perera didn’t feature in the tenth edition of IPL.