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Shanaka plays down pressure of World Cup qualifiers as team leaves for Zimbabwe

10 June 2023 02:35 pm - 7     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka's One Day International captain Dasun Shanaka remained confident his team could make the Cricket World Cup in India this year, as they departed the island for Zimbabwe this morning, where they will play a qualifying tournament.

For the first time in 42 years, Sri Lanka did not automatically qualify for the Cricket World Cup, having finished outside the top eight teams in the Cricket World Cup Super League. 

That has meant they will now need to make the final of the 10-team qualification tournament, that also includes the West Indies, Ireland, the United States and hosts Zimbabwe. 

"I don't feel any pressure. This is the third qualifying round I am playing in, when you consider the last two T20 World Cups," Shanaka told journalists ahead of the team's departure to Zimbabwe. 

"Countries like the USA, the Netherlands and Ireland have developed over the last decade in terms of their cricket. Unfortunately we have not played to the best of our abilities over the last few years and that is why we are playing in the qualifiers," he said.

"There is no pressure, but I think its a good challenge for us and I am confident we can win."

Sri Lanka open their qualification campaign on June 19 against the United Arab Emirates, before taking on Oman, Ireland and Scotland. 

They will play the Netherlands and the United States in warm-up matches before their qualification opener. 

(Shehan Daniel)


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  Comments - 7

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  • Walter Perera Saturday, 10 June 2023 03:04 PM

    Dasun Shanaka is definitely the average cricketer let's not blame Dasun if strategies go wrong, Dasun is only a average middle order batsmen capable of improvising only in 1 of out of 10 situations. So can we expect magic from him.

    Peterz Saturday, 10 June 2023 08:33 PM

    Agree 100%

    cricketline Saturday, 10 June 2023 03:15 PM

    Once a team which was envied even by the English now struggling to even qualify!!! The admistartion is the worst in the region and the players are not at all matured to represent the country at a bigger stage !!! Do a favor atleast cover the sponsors cost of your travel by winning some matches!!! U will not even get close that trophy in the next 15 years!!!!

    A Saturday, 10 June 2023 06:36 PM

    Dasun is not Capt meatrial nor does he warrant place in the team. Plays few runs or gets a wicket after 10 more opportunities. So we are carrying passenger in the team. Not smart Capt or thinking Cricketer. Very avarage player. Don't expect much .

    Mohan Saturday, 10 June 2023 10:40 PM

    With Chameera back, the bowling department is pretty strong and SL would qualify easily.

    Jude Sunday, 11 June 2023 12:43 AM

    The present bunch have don't care attitude. Losing games have become Norm yeah!! Last few years SL have lost 70% of white ball games!! Just check the rankings!!

    Jude Sunday, 11 June 2023 10:30 AM

    As Captain, shanaka's contribution to team success inadequate, Period!! And he's still the captain coz he caved in and first to sign SLC new contracts thus betraying other players!!


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