"Proud of his performance": Sri Lanka bowling coach on Nuwan Thushara ahead of T20 WC clash against Nepal
Jun 11, 2024
Florida [US], June 11 : Ahead of their next game against Nepal in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, Sri Lanka bowling coach Aqib Javed hailed the young right-arm seamer Nuwan Thushara following his magnificent performance in the ongoing marquee event.
In their third fixture of the group stage, Sri Lanka will lock horns with Nepal at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Lauderhill, Florida in the 23rd clash of the ICC T20 WC on Wednesday.
So far in the ongoing mega event, Thushara has snapped five wickets in the two matches at an average of 7.20. His best bowling figures in this tournament is 4/18 which came against Bangladesh in the previous game.
"Nuwan has done really well. I mean, look, when you have a small total, then somebody has to come up and bring something like Nuwan brought the other day. Really proud of his performance. And definitely why we ranked the team, because of their skills and talent. And this is how the Sri Lankan bowling attack is known of their natural talent and the ability to do what other teams; many teams doesn't have the kind of talent they have. So, I think - you can't say anything in cricket but see Sri Lankan bowling is quite difficult to handle," Javed said in the pre-match press conference.
The bowling coach further stated that there is always pressure when you are playing games at international level.
"When you are playing any international game, there is always pressure. But now the players and the batters and bowlers, they know that on these pitches you don't need to try much. Just play the basic, basic game. Best plan to bowl on this pitch, they just hit the deck hard. That's it. No experiments. So basic areas to hit as bowler and you need to bring a lot of patience during the batting time," the 51-year-old added.
Sri Lanka T20 WC squad: Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka. Traveling Reserves: Asitha Fernando, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, and Janith Liyanage
Nepal T20 WC squad: Rohit Paudel (c), Aasif Sheikh, Anil Kumar Sah, Kushal Bhurtel, Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Lalit Rajbanshi, Karan KC, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Pratis GC, Sundeep Jora, Abinash Bohara, Sagar Dhakal, Kamal Singh Airee.
