ICC World Cup 2019: Dimuth Karunaratne to Lead Sri Lanka in the Quadrennial Tournament

Days to go before the ICC World Cup 2019, Sri Lanka Cricket have finally put an end to the growing speculations over their ODI captain. The board officials have named the experienced left-handed batsman Dimuth Karunaratne as their skipper for the fifty-over format. As a result, Karunarate will lead Sri Lanka in the ICC World Cup starting from May 30 in England and Wales.

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Meanwhile, the officials had to terminate veteran fast bowler Lasith Malinga’s tenure following their woeful result in the recently concluded series against South Africa. The hosts Proteas completely outplayed them beating the Lankans 5-0 in the ODIs and 2-0 in the T20Is. Sri Lanka Cricket have tried many options – Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, and Thisara Perera in the last two years but they have struggled to change the fortunes. As a result, the board officials were forced to go with Dimuth Karunaratne.

Sri Lanka to have a new skipper in the World Cup

The southpaw has last represented Sri Lanka in an ODI game in the 2015 ICC World Cup. Besides, Karunaratne also doesn’t boast a good CV with only 190 runs in 17 ODIs at an average that lesser than 16. And now, the 30-year-old finds himself at the helm of the things. Dimuth Karunaratne; however, has some experience of leading the national team. He led a struggling Sri Lankan team to a historic series win against South Africa at their home turf. Karunaratne’s ability to deliver in challenging situations backed his case for the ODIs too.

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Sri Lanka Cricket in a media release admitted that Harin Fernando – a minister of Sri Lankan government had put a seal on the appointment of Dimuth Karunaratne as the skipper.

“Karunaratne’s appointment was ratified by the Minister of Telecommunications, Foreign Employment and Sports Honorable Harin Fernando,” Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed through a media release.

Meanwhile, the Islanders are currently going through a transition period and will look to put up a good effort in the upcoming ICC World Cup. The Sri Lanka Cricket officials will pin their hopes on Dimuth Karunaratne to bring back the golden days of their cricketing history.

The selection panel is yet to name their World Cup squad. Sri Lanka will start their campaign on June 1 against New Zealand at the Sophia Gardens.