EXCLUSIVE

Sri Lanka’s victorious T20 Cricket Captain Dasun Shanaka, while attributing the team’s Asia Cup success to hard work, was of the forthright view that the local media should be supportive of Sri Lanka both in thick and thin.

In an exclusive interview with Sri Lanka Cricket’s website following the team’s triumphant return with the Asia Cup, Shanaka said, “Victory did not come on a platter. Only hard work put into it of practice and practice earned us the trophy. But I must say that the local media should back the team both during victory and defeat.” Referring to a criticism when Sri Lanka went down to Bangladesh in a series, Dasun Shanaka said, “When we lost to Bangladesh we were criticised by the lo local media. It should be constructive criticism and I believe the media should be supportive of the team not just when we win, but in both victory and defeat. That is how it should be.”

The Lankan captain went on to single out the contributions of Player of the Series Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva and Player of the Match in the final Bhanuka Rajapaksa as well as fast bowling all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne to Sri Lanka’s success in winning the 15th edition of Asia’s mega tournament. “Wanindu, Bhanuka and Chamika are players who have earned a reputation through their participation in the Indian Premier League and their contribution went a long way in the team’s success to bringing home the Asia Cup.”

To my question as to the bottom hand leverage to his shot making, Shanaka said, “I attribute that ability to the reflexes I developed as a schoolboy playing badminton. It also helped me to move fast on my feet.” (PARA 4) The Lankan captain did pin point the fact that a retarding factor was the lack of continuity in match itineraries. “The break in itineraries doesn’t help in sharpening our reflexes. We could maximise it to good effect if we get regular tours,” he opined.

Shanaka was highly appreciative of the great support from local fans. “I must make special mention of our cricket fans who have been highly supportive of the team in victory and defeat. It is the massive local fan base that has spurred us on and myself and the team raises our hats to our beloved cricket fans,” he concluded.