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Janith Liyanage is reaping rewards for consistency
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Sri Lanka has recalled one of their most consistent run-getters in ODI cricket, Janith Liyanage to the T20I squad to strengthen their unstable middle order batting ahead of their Asia Cup opener against Bangladesh on 13 September at Abu Dhabi.
Right-handed Liyanage, a regular ODI cricketer has turned out to be a dependable batsman in the middle order capable of producing match-winning innings for his country.
Currently, Sri Lanka are experiencing some problems in their middle order in the shortest format of the game and are in the process of experimenting with different players to sustain their batting order before the ICC T20 World Cup next year.
Before coming to the UAE for the Asia Cup, Sri Lanka won a three-match T20I series in Zimbabwe 2-1, but not before they were shot out for their second lowest total in this format – 80. Sri Lanka’s batting has been more or less in the ‘blow hot blow cold’ mold and needs consistency in their performances to become a force in T20 cricket once again.
The inclusion of Liyanage is another experiment they are trying out. Liyanage is not new to T20I cricket having played in three matches in 2022. But where he has made a name for himself is in the ODI format where he has time again come to his team’s rescue and even guided them to victory batting in his customary position at 6.
Liyanage averages 48.47 with an aggregate of 824 and a strike rate of 85.92 in 28 ODIs. If selected, where Sri Lanka will want to fit him in the T20I side for the Asia Cup remains to be seen.
Skipper Charith Asalanka admitting that Liyanage has been included in the Asia Cup squad said that he was looking forward to getting the maximum out of him.
“Being in form has its rewards that’s why we brought him into the squad. Let’s wait and see what he can bring to the table.”
Liyanage’s inclusion has expanded the size of Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup squad to 17 players.
The Sri Lanka team arrived in Dubai in the early hours of yesterday from Zimbabwe and Asalanka at the captain’s meeting when confronted by a question from the media about the traveling and different conditions of play they will experience in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, said that he was so tired that at the moment he felt like sleeping and answering the questions the next day.
“It is really hard to play back-to-back games in Zimbabwe and travel to Dubai straightaway,” said Asalanka. “We need to have a couple of days off. I hope the coach will give it to us. It’s important to take care of our fitness. We all know that it is really hot out there. It’s important to be fresh and give 100 percent in the first game.”
Although the tournament proper began yesterday, Sri Lanka won’t be coming out in action until 13 September when they take on Bangladesh at Abu Dhabi.
From the cool climes of Zimbabwe to the oppressive heat in the UAE, the Lankan cricketers will have to quickly make the adjustments as there are no practice matches ahead of the tournament.
Revised Sri Lanka T20I Squad for Asia Cup
Charith Asalanka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Kamil Mishara, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, and Matheesha Pathirana.
