PAK vs SL: Sunil Joshi Applauds Dunith Wellalage After Sri Lanka's Match vs Pakistan In Asia Cup 2023, Says 'He Has All The Qualities To Become The Next Sanath Jayasuriya'

Former India all-rounder Sunil Joshi heaped praise on Dunith Wellalage after the fifth Super Fours match of the Asia Cup 2023 against Pakistan on Thursday (September 14th) at R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo and said that the 20-year-old youngster has all the qualities in him to become the next Sanath Jayasuriya, who is considered as a legend in Sri Lanka and all over the world.

The match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was a 42-over match after rain delayed the start of the match. In the first inning, Abdullah Shafique and Fakhar Zaman opened for India.

Shafique played an eye-catching knock of 52 runs and helped the Men in Green in the initial overs. Mohammad Rizwan scored the highest runs among other Pakistani batsmen and played an 86-run knock from 73 balls with a strike rate of 117.81.

After taking a five-wicket haul against India, Dunith Wellalage only managed to bag one wicket in the first inning.

In the second inning, Kusal Mendis played a 91-run knock helped Sri Lanka in the run chase, and clinched a two-wicket victory against Pakistan. Charith Asalanka and Sadeera Samarawickrama also played a major role in the must-win match for the island country.

Sunil Joshi, the former India player said that one have to give Wellalage credit for his exciting performance in the Asia Cup 2023.

Sunil Joshi further added that the 20-year-old has all the qualities to become the next legendary cricketer, Sanath Jayasuriya of Sri Lanka.

“You have got to give credit to that young lad, the Under-19 Sri Lankan captain, an exciting player in the making. Probably might be another Sanath Jayasuriya. I hope I am not jumping the gun but he has all the qualities to become the next Sanath Jayasuriya of Sri Lanka,” Sunil Joshi said on Star Sports.

We have seen him bowling and we have seen the previous innings as well: Sunil Joshi on Dunith Wellalage

The former India player praised the young Sri Lankan player and said that he had done well with both bat and bowl in the match against India.

“We have seen him bowling and we have seen the previous innings as well, but the way he batted, he has got each and every quality to become another Jayasuriya for Sri Lanka,” he added.

Sri Lanka will lock horns against India in the final match of the Asia Cup 2023 on Sunday (September 17th).