Sri Lanka’s new cricket superstar Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva said his first T20 World Cup will be one of his most memorable feats in history as he finished the championship with 16 wickets that included the three qualifying round matches although his team failed to qualify for the semi finals.
In the Super 12s Hasaranga took 10 wickets while Australia’s Adam Zampa took 11.
The 24 year old all-rounder has taken 36 T20 International wickets as he baffled opposing batters with his googly that included West Indies power hitters Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo who were both clean bowled in Sri Lanka’s sign-off match.
“I have taken the most number of wickets this year and I am really happy with it and it makes me feel good to contribute to the team especially when it is your first World Cup,” said Hasaranga.
“There’s another T20 World Cup coming up next year and as a young team we will have to work harder to correct our mistakes and do well next year.
“We were going through a bad patch and as a team we worked hard to give our hundred percent. We have come to a stage where we can give a good fight to stronger teams.”
Sri Lankan coach Mickey Arthur was highly appreciative of Hasaranga’s skills. “He just excites me. Every time I see him with a ball or see him with a bat or on the field, he excites me as a cricketer. He’s a wonderful player and this has been Hasaranga’s dedication.”
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka said Hasaranga is the kind of player that has to be treated like a treasure.
“He’s a gem. He’s a superstar in the making. There is a lot of cricket to be played and we have to protect him as well. As a captain, I back him in every situation. After Muttiah Muralidaran and Rangana Herath, Hasaranga is the match winning spinner in the Sri Lanka team,” said Shanaka.
Hasaranga, a product of Richmond College, also became only the second Sri Lankan bowler to top the ICC rankings since 2011 when Ajantha Mendis reached the top in the T20I bowler rankings.
He made his T20I debut in 2019 in Pallekele against New Zealand and since then has been a regular member of the white ball team.