ICC T20 WORLD CUP 2021

October 23, 2021

Dasun Shanaka

Sharjah Stadium

Sri Lanka

Pre Match Media Conference

Q. What kind of challenge do you expect from Bangladesh tomorrow, and who will be your main threat from Bangladesh?

DASUN SHANAKA: Actually we are expecting very good game tomorrow. Bangladesh, they've been good in the qualifiers, as well, but you know, it will be a fair game. T20 is a very short game, and on our day, everyone saw how good we are, as well. It will be a really good game.

Q. What kind of wicket do you expect?

DASUN SHANAKA: Actually it's not really threaten, you know. If we play to our strengths, we'll be good. There are some very good players face, Shakib and Mahmudullah. They are a good side.

Q. The inclusion of Mahela Jayawardene as a mentor, it has how much positive impact on Sri Lanka?

DASUN SHANAKA: Yeah, it's a real good investment to the boys, mostly to the youngsters. They gained a lot of experience from him and a lot of advices, so in the dressing room Mahela have been really nice for us, so to take the positions. It makes it easier for me as a captain, as well, so it's been really good as this far.

Q. Before the tournament, most of the teams, most the fans ruled out Sri Lanka as a team who can win this World Cup, but now after three games Sri Lanka is in a very good position and have rated this bowling attack very highly. What's your message to the other teams going into this Super 12?

DASUN SHANAKA: It's a simple message. The boys have done well, and they have shown their skills, and they have shown what they really can do in this tournament. They have made their mark in this tournament already, so every team has to have a close look at them, so it's really good for us.

Q. Both of the teams tomorrow playing from the subcontinent, and then venue is Sharjah, which we know is a spin venue. Do you think it is a spin battle? My other question is what are your plans about our spinners, Bangladesh's spinners?

DASUN SHANAKA: Yeah, there might be a slight chance that they're spinners rather than fastbowlers because the wicket has been used in the IPL games, as well, so there are good plans made to the match actually. We are looking especially at this and Shakib, not to forget the other spinners, as well, but going forward we have good players and hope to have a good match tomorrow.

Q. How do you see Bangladesh before tomorrow's match?

DASUN SHANAKA: They are sitting very good at the moment because after winning those qualifiers, they are on a winning momentum. It's good for them, but still, we've got a better side, I think. We have a slightly better chance.

Q. I know that you won the toss and elected to field yesterday, but in hindsight since you guys have not had a bat in Sharjah, do you think you would have been better off batting first on that track since you got three games inside?

DASUN SHANAKA: Actually it will be batting first -- actually I selected to bowl first yesterday because I really need to have a look at and we all need to have a close look at the wicket. Now we've got a clear idea how the wicket behaves actually. It will be not a big deal to bat first because we know the conditions really well. It will be a sequence (indiscernible) to the game we played yesterday, but you know, it was weird bowling this way by our bowlers yesterday. Not to blame the wicket. Still, they bowl really well, but still, if we get a chance to bat first, we know the conditions and we can play accordingly.

Q. Can you give us an update on Maheesh Theekshana?

DASUN SHANAKA: Still we are checking. We are not yet decided what to do. Probably today we'll get an update from the physio.