Despite suffering a loss against England in an ICC T20 World Cup 2021 clash at Sharjah, Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka said that he is happy with the way his team is fighting in the tournament.
Sri Lanka after displaying sensational performance in qualifiers to book place in Super 12s stage, started the group stage on a high as they defeated Bangladesh by 5 wickets. But they failed to carry the momentum and lost three matches on the trot.
In the match against England yesterday (1st November), Sri Lankan bowlers showed great skills as the batters failed to counter the likes of spinners and were reduced to 47/3 at the end of the 10th over.
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But an onslaught by Jos Buttler and Eoin Morgan shifted the momentum towards England as they posted a total of 163/4 on the board.
Chasing the target, even though Sri Lanka lost 5 wickets for the score of just 75 runs, Wanindu Hasaranga and Dasun Shanaka gave English fans a mini heart attack but failed to take their home as England won the match by 28 runs.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Dasun Shanaka lauded his bowlers for their efforts in the first 10 overs of the game. He added that many players in his side are playing in the World Cup for the first time and they’ll only get better with the experience.
"The bowlers have been outstanding throughout the tournament in the first ten overs. The back end of the game has been a concern for us. This is the first WC for most players, when they gain experience, they'll do a better job," Dasun Shanaka said at the post-match presentation
Shanaka admitted that losing wickets at regular intervals cost them the match but he lauded Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler for their 112-run partnership.
"We knew that dew will play a major factor in the second half. Losing wickets in regular intervals cost the game for us. Credit to Morgan and Buttler, they showed their experience,” he said.
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Dasun Shanaka admitted that six months back, his team were not the same and have risen in ranks to come a long way in the tournament. He said that he’s happy with the way his side have been fighting.
“Six months back, we were not the same team. We were out of the competition, but these boys have come a long way in this tournament. I am happy with the way the boys have been fighting," he concluded.
Sri Lanka will next take on West Indies in the T20 World Cup clash on 4th November at Abu Dhabi while England will lock horns against South Africa on 6th November at Sharjah.
(ANI inputs)
