Asia Cup 2018: I Believe Malinga Fits into our Equation - Sri Lanka Head Coach

Sri Lanka packs their kit bags to travel to the UAE for Asia Cup 2018. On the eve of leaving, Sri Lanka’s head coach quoted they are confident of coming back home with the trophy. Chandrika Hathurusinghe was optimistic in Sri Lanka’s chances during Asia Cup 2018, starting September 15th.

Ahead of their journey, Sri Lanka got the major jolt in the form of Akila Dananjaya and Dinesh Chandimal. The former is expecting his first child while the latter suffered an injury to stay out of the team.

We worked on certain aspects for Asia Cup 2018 – Chandrika Hathurusinghe

The head coach of the team, Chandrika Hathurusinghe quoted they have planned well to seal the Asia Cup 2018 this time. He highlighted the dew factors and wet surfaces which might play a key role in the tournament.

Further, he added his lines on Lasith Malinga, who could be the match-winner for Sri Lanka. The head coach expressed the team is confident on Lasith Malinga putting up a decent show.

Speaking at the team’s pre-departure press briefing at the SSC Marquee on Wednesday, he quipped, “We don’t take any team lightly and we have focused on aspects such as the dew and wet wickets which are the swaying challenges I see,” he said.

Commenting on the balance of the 16-man squad, Hathurusinghe said it was well blended. On the inclusion of champion fast bowler Lasith Malinga, he said, “I believe that Malinga fits into our equation for this tournament. He is one of the best death bowlers in the world. In the last few matches, he has performed well and his fitness is up to mark.”

We like to go as the underdogs and aim to become the top dog – says Sri Lanka team manager

Meanwhile, the team manager, Charith Senanayake quoted they want to be the underdogs in Asia Cup 2018.

Previously, there are numerous occasions when an underdog tagged team eventually grabbed the championships. The team manager also wants to repeat the same.

”We like to go as the underdogs and aim to become the top dog. The tournament is important to us being the most important cricketing tournament next to the World Cup. The players have put in all the hard work in the build-up to the event. The team is a good blend of youth and experience and we have done well in the past. Of course our main hurdle will be to get past India and Pakistan.”

However, it would be interesting to see how Sri Lanka will approach the tournament. Meanwhile, it will also be exciting to watch their star performer, Lasith Malinga getting back to the international circuit.