Kusal’s loss a big blow, says Angelo

CARDIFF: Following their shock victory over India, the Sri Lankans have given themselves a chance to enter the semifinals of the Champions Trophy. However, a resurgent Pakistan stand in their way.

Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews says the team isn’t thinking too far ahead.

“We are not trying to get too far ahead. We just want to take one game at a time. We’re not thinking about the semifinal just yet. We’ve got to play really good cricket to beat Pakistan, and we all know that they are a very dangerous team,” said Mathews on the eve of the game.

The Islanders will, however, be without Kusal Perera, who saw them through with a vital knock of 47 before getting retired hurt. Mathews admitted that it will be a loss for them.

He said that Kusal could be shifted to anywhere in the batting order. “Unfortunate to lose Kusal as he can bat anywhere in the batting order, he gives that option. We have been left with only seven batters, so we had to call up Dhananjaya De Silva,” said the Sri Lankan skipper.

After poor outings in recent times, the young Sri Lankans managed to pull off a moraleboosting win against neighbours.

“We were concentrating on getting better. We have young set of players, who are unfamiliar with international level. But skill is there,” he said.

Following the retirement of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, Mathews has been left with an inexperienced bunch.

“It is easy to captain a side when Sanga and Mahela are there. When they retired, it created a vacuum. You have to give confidence to youngsters, you have to deal with the pressure which is there. And you have to stick with them. We have great talent in the dressing room. We have to stay positive and give them a long run,” he said.