Asia Cup will be a new challenge, says Mathews
Sri Lanka would open their Asia Cup 2018 campaign on Saturday against Bangladesh in Dubai, UAE with fond memories of recent success in the tournament to spur them on.
The last time the Asia Cup was played in the 50-over format in 2014 – the subsequent 2016 edition was played as T20IS in preparation for that year’s World T20 – Sri Lanka won the tournament beating Pakistan by five wickets in the final. Angelo Mathews, Sri Lanka’s limited over Captain was in his first stint as Skipper when his team won in 2014, and while saying those memories were cherished he added that his team was mentally prepared for a new challenge in this tournament.
“(We have) Lots of fond memories. But its history now and there is a new Asia Cup, a new challenge, and we look forward to it. All the teams are very much even and we had a good preparation over the last few weeks and we are in a good headspace and we are looking forward to this tournament,” he said.
Sri Lanka’s fast bowling unit has been boosted by the recalling of the experienced Lasith Malinga, who could feature in his
first ODI in over a year if selected into the playing XI.
Malinga’s omission from the National Team over the last year has been a contentious topic, despite his most recent international exploits justifying it, but Head Coach Chandika Hathurusingha said the fast bowler now warranted his place in the squad.
“We know what Malinga is capable of and we know that his skill-set is what suits
us for this tournament. He’s one of the best death bowlers in the world. In the last one and a half months he has performed well and his fitness has met out expectation. He can play a big role in our team,” he said.
Sri Lanka will play Bangladesh and Afghanistan in the first-round, with two teams moving into the next round.
Hathurusingha said he was satisfied with the preparations the team have made over the last two weeks in particular to get past their first two opponents. “Both teams are dangerous teams in those conditions. We don’t take any team lightly which is why we have focused on experience with some of our selections. (We’re) Happy with our preparations over the last week and a half and we practiced specific match scenarios over the last few practice sessions focusing on those two games,” he said.
Sri Lanka will play Afghanistan on September 17.