Hasaranga a world superstar says Arthur

Rex Clementine in Dubai  

Sri Lanka’s chances of a semi-final berth in the ICC T-20 World Cup are gone but they have had so many positives in UAE and several young players have stood out during the campaign. Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has been the cynosure of all eyes having now emerged as the world’s number one bowler in T-20 cricket. The last time Sri Lanka had someone in the number one spot in official ICC Rankings for bowlers was Ajantha Mendis in 2011.

Hasaranga is also the highest wicket-taker in the World Cup and has the most wickets in T20 Internationals this year. He’s been not bad with the bat either coming up with match-wining efforts like in the Ireland game and that has seen him rise to the number four slot of ICC Rankings for all-rounders in T-20s.

“He just excites me. Every time I see him with a ball or see him with a bat or in the field, he excites me as a cricketer. Right from the start, when I saw him for the first time, I knew he was special,” Arthur said.

“His confidence is sky-high. And I just get really excited for what he’s going to achieve for Sri Lankan cricket down the line. He works unbelievably hard at his game and doesn’t leave anything to chance in terms of his preparation. He’s a genuine world superstar at the moment,” added Arthur.

It’s been a tough few months for Arthur as he was forced to rethink his strategy and bring in new players after three players were suspended. Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka and Niroshan Dickwella were going to be the backbone of the side after several seniors were sidelined but the trio’s suspension came as a massive blow. But Arthur has put up a bold face and the young players have received a lot of praise in this campaign.

“Our T-20 team has turned the corner. I think our Test team’s in a good place. I think our one-day team is getting there. The selection panel, coaches and I have identified some really good young players and we’ve trusted them to deliver. We’re getting some very good performances out of them. The Sri Lankan nation can be incredibly proud of the attitude, intensity and work ethic of this group because they’ve been wonderful. We have shaken up the World Cup. We’re not going to go to the semis but Sri Lankan cricket is now in good hands.”

“I’d like to say we’ve just planted the seeds because I think in a year or two those seeds will start to turn into some pretty good flowers and Sri Lankan cricket is in a healthy state with this bunch of young players,” Arthur commented.

Sri Lanka will take on two-time World Champions West Indies today in Abu Dhabi in their last fixture of the competition and left-arm seamer Binura Fernnado is expected to come in for Lahiru Kumara.