SL skipper Dasun Shanaka: Knew spin would play major role

Sri Lanka’s Maheesh Theekshana (centre) celebrates an Irish wicket with teammates at Hobart yesterday. Pic/Getty Images

Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka on Sunday credited the spinners for their dominating nine-wicket win over Ireland in a T20 World Cup match, saying keeping spin options for the death overs did the trick.

It was the bowling unit, especially spin duo of Maheesh Theekshana (2-19) and Wanindu Hasaranga (2-25), who set up the win by restricting Ireland to 128-8.
"Really happy with the way we've played the game, we set out to do some things and did well. We knew spin would play a major role, we knew they'd like pace, so we kept a lot of spin for the back-end," Shanaka said at the post-match presentation ceremony here.

Dasun Shanaka

Kusal Mendis then complemented the bowlers with a 43-ball 68 as Sri Lanka registered an easy chase to overhaul the target with five overs to spare and make a winning start to the super 12 stage.

"He [Mendis] has been consistent this year, [he] has played according to the situation most of the times, that's what he has improved - it is high-class batting. That consistency which Sri Lanka needed for a long time, that gives us a luxury," Shanaka said.

"Death bowling is our key area and the start is important - we did that really good. Want to continue with that confidence."

Also read: Sri Lanka back on track!

Brief scores
Ireland 128-8 in 20 overs (H Tector 45, P Stirling 34; M Theekshana 2-19) lost to Sri Lanka 133-1 in 15 overs (K Mendis 68', C Asalanka 31', D de Silva 31) by 9 wickets

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