ICC T20 WORLD CUP 2022

October 31, 2022

Kasun Rajitha

The Gabba

Sri Lanka

Pre Match Media Conference

Q. How are the boys actually reacting after the (indiscernible) against New Zealand?

KASUN RAJITHA: Actually we already batted today. It's very, very good for the next match. I think we are to bounce back very well.

Q. How important is this game against Afghanistan? You know we have to (indiscernible) break as well. In that context, how important is this game?

KASUN RAJITHA: We know it's an important game for us. And we are trying to do our best and we need to win this. We know that. We are trying to do our best for our country and our team.

Q. (Indiscernible) we got into a situation where we have to depend on other teams to receive how they will progress to the semifinals. Is it something that we didn't want to, when you started the tournament, can you say why we've come to this situation?

KASUN RAJITHA: We actually, we can't control that. We are trying to do our best. And we are planning to tomorrow's game and we want to win that. That's the way we are thinking.

Q. Obviously Sri Lanka has had an up and down performance in the World Cup so far. Coming off a loss to New Zealand, how is that affecting the team mentally going into this game versus Afghanistan?

KASUN RAJITHA: Mentally it's very good after the New Zealand game where unfortunately we are very unlucky day with New Zealand, but New Zealand is very, very well. We are trying to bounce back very well for tomorrow's game and we need to win this game.

Q. Coming into the tournament obviously as Asia Cup champions, do you think there was added pressure on Sri Lanka to perform well in this World Cup? And despite your performances so far what are some of the positive things that you're looking at, you know, since you all have been playing?

KASUN RAJITHA: We are the Asia champion, we know that. And we have the confidence of that very well. And actually we had to plan for the other team and get a win. I think we have a plan tomorrow as well. We are going to (indiscernible) match, and I think we can do tomorrow better than our past game.

Q. How has the tournament been for you so far? How has your experience been in the tournament so far?

KASUN RAJITHA: It's a good experience for me. And after a long time I'm playing T20. Last game, I think I did very well. Hopefully I'm trying to continue my performance as next to game as well.

Q. Here in Brisbane, how has it been for you so far? Some of the other places have been colder than others, but how has Brisbane been so far for Sri Lanka?

KASUN RAJITHA: It's been weather like we've seen a bit hot, and it's good for us. Hobart is cooler than I think Perth and Sydney and Brisbane, like good weather for us.

Q. And what are you looking forward to in playing Afghanistan tomorrow? Obviously you would have similar conditions to what you all played back home. But nevertheless a big game tomorrow for Sri Lanka. How is the team taking that and looking at it tomorrow?

KASUN RAJITHA: I think we are trying -- we are basic for tomorrow because we know we must win for this game. We tried to do our basic and we bounce back really well for tomorrow.