Sri Lanka-Afghanistan ODI series kicks off today at Pallekele

Wanindu Hasaranga bowls during a practice session at Pallekele watched by skipper Dasun Shanaka

Afghanistan’s key spinner Rashid Khan during a team meeting at Pallekele

• Battle of two leading wrist spinners in white ball cricket

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

The three-match ODI series commencing today between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium today could turn out to be a battle between the two leading T20I wrist spinners No. 1 ranked Wanindu Hasaranga and No. 2 ranked Rashid Khan.

These two excellent exponents of spin in white ball cricket have dominated the shortest format over the years and will be the cynosure of all eyes during the 50-over series, where their mastery will be on display not only for just eight overs but 20 overs, with each entitled to bowl a minimum of 10 per match. 

Their bowling probably may not be the deciding factor of the series, but will certainly play a crucial part for both teams in their quest for victory as conditions in Pallekele are not only suited to spin but to seam and swing as well under lights. 

As Sri Lanka white ball skipper Dasun Shanaka who has a good knowledge of the conditions in Pallekele quite rightly said: “The toss is going to be crucial because during the day the ball hardly does anything. If you take the Pallekele pitch in the afternoon, it is good for batting but in the night, under lights there is a chance for the ball to start swinging. We have two specialist fast bowlers and two fast bowling all-rounders in the team whom I hope to utilise under these conditions.”

“The fast bowlers we have and who played recently, especially Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, Asitha Fernando, may be short of experience but they have experience playing at international level. I hope to use that to the maximum throughout the series. For spin options we have Maheesh Theekshana, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage and Dhananjaya de Silva which is a good combination.”

The two fast-bowling all-rounders are Shanaka and Dhananjaya Lakshan who is one of five players brought into the squad that played in the last ODI series against Australia. The others are fast bowlers Kasun Rajitha, Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara and batsman Ashen Bandara. 

Shanaka is confident that his players will be able to make the switch from T20 mode which they have been playing for the past five months to a slightly longer format of 50 overs.

“We have played well in the ODIs so far, the difference from T20 cricket is that we must spend more time in the middle and increase our concentration in ODI cricket. I think my players have that capability to convert their game and I believe they will play to the best of their ability and enable us to win.”  

Shanaka said he expected a good challenge from Afghanistan and added: “If you take the teams playing today, you cannot underestimate any side. There are T20 tournaments around the world. Every team has players who have gone around the world and played and gained that experience. Afghanistan players are in a good space today because of that.”

“We know who the opposition is because we played them in the T20 World Cup and in the Asia Cup although it was in the T20 format. We have plans on how to tackle them. If you take Rashid Khan for instance, we handled him very well in the two tournaments. We are prepared to face him and give a good account of ourselves.”

Rashid picked up one wicket for 39 runs in the Asia Cup and 2 for 31 in the T20 World Cup – both matches which Sri Lanka won.

The Lankan team has during the T20 World Cup undergone a few disciplinary issues involving two players Danushka Gunathilaka and Chamika Karunaratne, but Shanaka was of the view that these incidents will not affect the team performances.

“The players are in a good mental frame of mind. When you have a squad there are problems. It happens not only to us but to all teams. It is a common thing. How we overcome such problems and how well we play is what’s important. As a team we are in a good space to perform well.”

SRI LANKA SQUAD FOR ODI SERIES: 

Captain Dasun Shanaka, Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Dananjaya Lakshan, Kasun Rajitha, Maheesh Theekshana, Pramod Madushan, Asitha Fernando, Ashen Bandara, Lahiru Kumara.