"I Think It Is Our Time To Do Our Best And Try And Win The World Cup" - Maheesh Theekshana Seeks Inspiration From 1996 World Cup Campaign

Sri Lankan off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana stated that the players will give their best performances to advance to the Cricket World Cup 2023, which will be held in India later this year. Maheesh Theekshana pointed out that no one thought Sri Lanka would win the World Cup in 1996.

Sri Lanka missed the direct qualification for the first time in their cricket history. The Dasun Shanaka-led team failed to finish in the top eight in the Super League table. The Lankan Lions finished in 10th place in the standings, and they managed to win only seven out of 24 ODIs.

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In an interview with the ICC, Maheesh Theekshana recalled Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup campaign, where they won the trophy despite being underdogs in the tournament.

“No one thought Sri Lanka would win the World Cup in 1996. So it is an inspiration, particularly the way they played as a team. We need to get all of this to our generation as well. The way (Arjuna) Ranatunga acted as captain, there are a lot of memories there for everyone,” Theekshana told ICC.

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“As a team, we have to do some things as they did in that period of time, but it’s also a new generation so we have to do things differently.The way that cricket is going is so different, so I think it is our time to do our best and try and win the World Cup,” he added.

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I Have A Good Partner In Wanindu – Maheesh Theekshana

Maheesh Theekshana said that his bowling partner Wanindu Hasaranga will keep pressure on opposition batters, which helps him pick wickets.

“I have a good partner in Wanindu, we know that opposition teams see him as a world-class bowler. They sometimes try to defend him and try to get runs from me but then I have a chance to get wickets also,” he continued.

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“I think that is a plus point for the team and for me because I am always getting the chance to add pressure. I know that he will always keep it tight at the other end so it is easy for me to bowl with him, and it is good for the team when he is around,” he concluded.

Sri Lanka will play in the World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe. The island nation are in Group B with Ireland, Oman, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Scotland. They will kick off their campaign against the UAE at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, on June 19.

Sri Lanka Squad For World Cup Qualifiers

Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana

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