Asia Cup 2022: Ex-Sri Lanka Coach Mickey Arthur Lauds Wanindu Hasaranga For Heroic Performance
Updated - 12 Sep 2022, 06:37 PM
Former Sri Lankan head coach Mickey Arthur heaped praise on Asia Cup hero Wanindu Hasaranga and said that the all-rounder is someone who loves playing on the big stage. Hasaranga was Sri Lanka’s saviour – played top innings of 36 from 21 balls and then picked up three wickets to sway the game in his team’s favour and help them win their sixth Asia Cup.
Speaking on ESPNCricinfo, Arthur hailed the all-rounder as a big match player and gave plaudits for his role in the partnership with Bhanuka Rajapaksa.
Arthur opines that Wanindu Hasaranga delivers his best performance in crunch situations
Speaking about Hasaranga’s heroic performance, the veteran South African said, “He is a big match player. He loves playing on the edge, he loves playing on the big stage. His batting, that partnership he had with Bhanuka, was superb. He took the game on. He allowed Bhanuka to go a little bit slower, and made sure he was there at the back end. And then the three wickets in one over.”
“He stands up when the going gets tough. That is one thing I have always liked about Wanindu Hasaranga. From the moment I saw him, no moment is too big for him. When the pressure is on, he gets stuck in and does the job for you. Very reliable and I knew he would come good today,” added Arthur.
Wanindu Hasaranga knows the difference between confidence and arrogance
When asked when he found that Hasaranga is a big match player, the former Sri Lankan coach opened up about his confidence as a player and talked about his best traits.
“There’s a fine line in players between confidence and arrogance. And the best players are on the line. Wanindu sits on the line. He is a very very confident cricketer. And those cricketers back themselves when the going gets tough. They back themselves in hard pressure situations.
“They’re almost like showmen, they’re almost like actors. That’s when they’re at their best. Wanindu possesses everything that’s good about those traits.
“He is a wonderful, wonderful cricketer. I just knew it. You could see the way he carried himself, the way he carries himself around his peers. He is incredible, very very good,” said Arthur.
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Mickey Arthur Sri Lanka national cricket team Wanindu Hasaranga
