Eight Sri Lankan cricketers for Abu Dhabi T10 Tourney
Eight Sri Lankan cricketers including champion leg spinner Wanindu Hasaranga left for Abu Dhabi yesterday to take part in the Abu Dhabi T-10 cricket tournament which is scheduled to be held from November 19 to December 4 at Abu Dhabi International cricket stadium.
Hasaranga the 24 year old right arm leg spinner who finished with the highest number of wickets (16) at the recently concluded T 20 world cup will represent Deccan Gladiators team in this tournament.
Hasaranga said “I think my batting and bowling style suits this version more than any other formats that I play, and so, I am looking forward to going out there, doing what I do best, and bring home the cup! I hope to join the likes of Dre Russ (Andre Russell), Tymal (Mills) and Zahoor (Khan) in the Deccan Gladiators line-up.
“I am a leg-spinner and I am eagerly waiting to meet my childhood hero and coach of Deccan Gladiators, the legendary leg-spinner from Pakistan Mushtaq Ahmed. I am sure I will be able to learn a lot from him,” said Hasaranga the most successful spinner of the present Sri Lanka team.
Hasaranga plays all formats of the game (Test, ODIs, T20Is and T10) and his all-round abilities can be vital in Deccan Gladiators quest for their maiden Abu Dhabi T10 title this season.
Meanwhile Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have not granted approval to four cricketers Dushmantha Chameera, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana to participate in the Abu Dhabi T-10 cricket tournament Both Chameera and Karunaratne expected to feature in the National duty for the West Indies test series while 18 year old Pathirana also the member of National under 19 is in the youth squad to play forthcoming England under 19 cricket series and SLC took a decision to give more priority for the National duties and not granted approval for this franchise tournament.
Meanwhile promising spinner Theekshana who got injured during the Netherland T 20 world cup game also missed first super 12 game against Bangladesh advised further rest.
However four new players Dasun Shanaka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Angelo Perera and Binura Fernando will replace the four players in the Abu Dhabi T-10.
The four new players with Wanindu Hasaranga, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Isuru Udana and Upul Tharanga will take part in this tour and it is going to be a good experience before the Lanka Premier League (LPL) tournament.
Lakshan who was adjudged best emerging player of the last LPL couldn’t take part at the recent National cricket matches due to leg injury now fully recovered to get green light to play this tournament.
Lakshan also said “ after his recovery period this T10 tournamant is very keen to play to get his usual form. I am very proud member of the last time champion team Northern Warriors team captained by West Indian Nicolas Pooran and very happy play at same Abu Dhabi Stadium.
This is good opportunity to share ideas with experienced players of this short format game and it’s huge benefit as a younger player said 22 year old all rounder Lakshan.
This time Dasun Shanaka, Angelo Perera, Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Dhananjaya Lakshan are named for same team Chennai Brave.
Sri Lankan cricketers at Abu Dhabi T-10 Tournament
Chennai Brave – Dasun Shanaka, Angelo Perera, Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Dhananjaya Lakshan
Deccan Gladiators – Waninidu Hasaranga
Bangla Tigers – Isuru Udana
Northern Warriors – Upul Tharanga and Binura Fernando