Dilshan Madushanka excites Waqar Younis

by Rex Clementine

While Sri Lanka flopped during the 2023 World Cup, the performances of left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka is one of the silver linings for the former champions. Playing in his first World Cup, Madushanka emerged as the tournament’s leading wicket taker with 21 scalps to his name and he accounted for every big wicket in the game from Rohit Sharma to Steve Smith.

Fast bowling great Waqar Younis speaking to Sri Lankan reporters heaped praise on the young fast bowler.

“I think he’s very skilfull and very energetic. He’s got plenty of talent and he is going to get better and better. He is the best thing that came out of Sri Lanka in this World Cup. If they can look after him, he’ll do great things,” Waqar said.

“He is eager to learn and wants to be at the top of his game. I love what I’ve seen. Playing at the big stage, he is not overawed by the occasion and he has not felt the pressure accounting for every big wicket in international cricket. That speaks volumes. His skill level is great. The pitches in India have been very good for batting and he is certainly one for the future,” Waqar added.

“It would have been better if there was more support for him from the other end. If it had happened, it could have been a different result for Sri Lanka. He stuck to his task and this experience will be good for him moving forward. I hope he stays fit. His actions is pretty smooth, very repeatable. Just play him in big games and big tournaments giving him enough rest and he will win Sri Lanka a lot more games.”

“The modern-day trend is to play a lot of league cricket. But I think for a fast bowler to succeed he needs to play a lot of four-day cricket and five-day cricket.”

“He is very much like Chaminda Vaas. I guess he has a bit more pace than Vaas. He is a very smart, intelligent kid.”