Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne expressed hope his side’s 3-0 ODI series win against Bangladesh is the start of their path to the World Cup 2023.
The Lankans Wednesday defeated tourist Bangladesh in the third and final ODI by 122 runs to clean sweep the opponent.
This was Sri Lanka’s first series win at home in the format in almost four years.
Sri Lanka in the World Cup 2019 in England and Wales finished sixth with three wins in eight games, with one getting abandoned due to rain, against Bangladesh.
@OfficialSLC cricket team’s captain @IamDimuth believes @BCBtigers has been affected by the absence of @Sah75official.https://t.co/Bff2oXIqH0#BCBTIGERS #BCB #TIGERS #BANGLADESHCRICKET #CRICKET #BANGLADESH #DIMUTH #KARUNARATNE #DIMUTHKARUNARATNE #SHAKIBALHASAN #SHAKIB #SAH #SLC
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) July 31, 2019
In a surprise and a questionable move from Sri Lanka Cricket, Karunaratne was named captain ahead of the World Cup.
The opening batsman though has made a mark, leading Sri Lanka to an ODI series win at home.
“I think after the World Cup we needed to start again for the 2023 World Cup. This is the time we have to find some new talents, we have couple of players home and away, we trying to give opportunity to all the players who are in the squad. That’s the thing, we are trying to find some talents and we are trying to play the best 15 in the next World Cup,” said Karunaratne following the third ODI at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Sri Lanka middle-order batsman Angelo Mathews was pivotal to their dominance with the bat against a dismantled Bangladesh side.
@OfficialSLC top-order batsman @KusalMendis1 registered his 16th ODI half century and aided his side to a competitive total.https://t.co/zvo4RjFNOk#BCBTIGERS #BCB #TIGERS #BANGLADESH #CRICKET #BANGLADESHCRICKET #KUSALMENDIS #KUSAL #MENDIS #SRILANKA #SLC #SRILANKACRICKET
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) July 31, 2019
The right-handed batter scored 187 runs in three games with a 48, unbeaten 52 and 87 respectively, finishing as the top-scorer in the series, and claimed the man of the series title.
Karunaratne, alongside praising Mathews, said some bowling contributions from the 32-year old would come as a big plus for the side which have been in the hunt for a revival lately.
“I think Angelo is a tough guy and a very experienced one in the side. He knows his game very well that's why he succeeded with the bat. I think we need to keep him doing it and if he can bowl us couple of overs then it is a huge plus to Sri Lanka,” said Karunaratne.
“I think we need to celebrate it and after that we have a tough challenge against New Zealand and we have to focus on that. For now, we will be celebrating and from [Thursday] we will focus on that,” said the Sri Lanka captain.
