Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka is proud of his team’s performance in the ODI World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe as he regarded the qualification to the marquee event as a “Big Achievement” especially given their past performance in the World Cup.
Sri Lanka is well on top in the ODI World Cup qualifiers, as they played exceptionally well in the league stage and super six stages to seal their spot for the World Cup in India, as they are currently placed at the top of the points table and they will look to continue their winning run in the final game of the super six stages on July 7.
After a thumping win over Zimbabwe, Dasun Shanka was elated with the team’s performance in the qualifiers to book a berth for World Cup in India, as they have done very well in the mega events in recent times including making it into the final before 12 years in India.
“It’s a big achievement but still we know what we have done in the past in World Cups especially, we won the 1996 World Cup and were the 2011 runners-up. We have been playing amazing cricket in the World Cup so it’s a much-needed thing for Sri Lanka to be up here in that big stage,” Dasun Shanaka said.
Sri Lanka team has been doing very well in recent years in White ball cricket as they have settled unit for the ODI Cricket, as they will rely on the experienced Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka, and Wanindu Hasaranga to deliver well for his team in the Marquee event in India.
We Are Waiting To Deliver There As Well – Dasun Shanaka
Dasun Shanaka admitted that it was always tough to play in the qualifier as they have to work hard to win the matches and said that the team was confident qualifying for the World Cup, with the kind of squad they have got and hailed the other teams for giving good fights to them in qualifiers and added that the World Cup is a primary focus for their team going forward as the team wanted to be at their best ahead of the mega event in India.
“Coming through the Qualifier is always tough, but still, we go through the process and we knew that with the team we have got here that we were going to qualify for the World Cup. Credit to the other teams they played well in the tournament, some of the teams gave us some good fights in between, but still, we are a better side.”
Yes, there (was) pressure here, but still the pressure begins on the big stage, So I think that World Cup ahead is the main focus and main target for us, we are waiting to deliver there as well,” Dasun Shanaka added.
The next major assignment for Sri Lanka would be Asia Cup 2023 as they will look to retain their trophy this year on their home soil. Dasun Shanka-led side surprised everyone in the last edition of the continental event, as they came up top against Asian Giants India and Pakistan to win the championship in Dubai.