Sri Lanka head coach Chris Silverwood hailed young bowling sensation Matheesha Pathirana for his brilliant bowling against Bangladesh in their Asia Cup opener on Thursday at the Pallekele International Stadium. The 20-year-old was adjudged the Player of the Match award for his exceptional bowling to help Sri Lanka restrict the Bangladesh side for 164 runs in 42.1 overs.
The young Sri Lankan pacer has grown strength to strength in the last 12 months playing for his country and franchise leagues around the globe and impressed everyone with his skillset in the 50-over format of the game, picking up four wickets in the game to rattle Bangladesh batting order on their home soil.
Speaking to the media after Sri Lanka’s five-wicket victory over Bangladesh, Chris Silverwood heaped praise on Matheesha Pathirana for his match-winning spell for the team in the group stage of the tournament and revealed that the team worked with his new ball bowling during the ODI World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe and said that he works hard and keen to learn things to improve his game in the white-ball cricket.
“He bowled beautifully. He has had some experience in IPL. He came to World Cup qualifiers with us and worked on bowling with a new ball. We tweaked his run-up a bit, not the action. He has worked very hard and absorbs information very well. It is a pleasure to work with him. He does things his way,” Chris Silverwood said.
Pathirana has stepped in place of the experienced Dushmanta Chameera, and Lahiru Kumara, who were ruled out of the event due to injury. The Youngster has a few things to work on in ODI Cricket but he can be a surprise package for the team as he would look to continue his fine form going into the 50-over format of the game.
It Was Difficult To Start Batting On That Wicket, But It Became Easier – Chris Silverwood
Speaking on the pitch against Bangladesh, Chris Silverwood said that the wicket was a little difficult to bat at the start of the innings and admitted that the team is working on their fielding, as they have missed few opportunities against Bangladesh in the first game.
“The wicket was okay. It was difficult to start batting on that wicket, but it became easier. We got some swing with the new ball.”
“The fielding is an ongoing thing for us. Catches cost us. We are working on it. There is room for improvement. The fielding coach will be pushing for it,” Chris Silverwood added
Sri Lanka started their title defence with an emphatic win over Bangladesh in the first game of the group stage, despite missing a few big names due to the injury. Dasun Shanaka-led side dominated the match to win the game in 39 overs and they will look to continue their fine form going into the next game against Afghanistan.