Sri Lanka have obtained an enormous increase forward of their essential sport in opposition to Pakistan within the ongoing 2023 ODI World Cup. Their star spinner Maheesh Theekshana is ready to make his much-awaited return to motion throughout the sport.
The spinner has not performed a aggressive sport since struggling a hamstring harm throughout the Tremendous 4 conflict in opposition to Pakistan within the Asia Cup 2023 final month. He needed to miss the ultimate in addition to Sri Lanka’s World Cup opener in opposition to South Africa final week. And Maheesh Theekshana is now all set to bolster Sri Lanka’s bowling assault, in line with their assistant coach Naveed Nawaz.
“He’s match and will play tomorrow,” Nawaz stated on the eve of the match. “Didn’t wish to threat him within the first sport in opposition to medical recommendation however he needs to be prepared right here.”
With Maheesh Theekshana warming the bench, Sri Lanka’s assault endured a tricky day on the workplace in opposition to South Africa. The Proteas smashed the Islanders for 428 runs, the best complete within the ODI World Cup historical past. As many as three South Africa batsmen – Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, and Aiden Markram hit centuries.
Sri Lanka went on to lose the sport by 102 runs. They did properly to attain 326 runs and could be taking confidence from their batting efficiency for the upcoming contest in opposition to Pakistan on the Rajiv Gandhi Worldwide Stadium in Hyderabad.
Nawaz defends Wellalage:
With Wanindu Hasaranga not part of the squad attributable to harm and Maheesh Theekshana on the bench, the duty of main Sri Lanka’s spin assault was on younger and inexperienced spinner Dunith Wellalage. The left-arm spinner had picked up a five-wicket haul in opposition to India within the Asia Cup final month however had a tricky outing in opposition to South Africa.
In 10 overs, he conceded 81 runs and couldn’t choose up any wicket on a tricky pitch the place bowlers obtained little or no help. Nawaz, nonetheless, has defended the younger spinner, saying:
“Dunith has needed to face quite a lot of duty, the place he’s been pushed up as the primary bowler within the final couple of video games. I feel he reacted exceptionally properly. He has achieved properly within the Asia Cup. Even on a batting-friendly monitor in Delhi, he bowled moderately properly. This can be a sport of studying; he’s transferring ahead, and we’re pleased with that.”
Not like Sri Lanka, Pakistan began their marketing campaign with an 81-run win over the Netherlands. The Males in Inexperienced will probably be seeking to lengthen their profitable begin.
