Sri Lanka out to make a clean sweep today

Sri Lanka having wrapped up the Afghanistan ODI series with an unbeatable 2-0 lead following a massive 155-run win last Sunday will be out to make it a clean sweep by winning the third and final game against Afghanistan today at Pallekele International cricket stadium, commencing at 2.30 pm.

Sri Lanka Skipper Kusal Mendis wanted to continue winning mentality to get 3-0 series win Most probably there will be a few changes in Sri Lanka team with Chamika Karunaratne off spinner ,Akila Dhananjaya and leg spinner Dunith Wellalage who had to sit on the bench during last two matches likely to be included in the final eleven.Sri Lanka head coach Chris Silverwood is happy about wickets used for both matches and it was a high scoring pitches while Sri Lanka team passed 300 run mark at both matches .The former English coach and former fast bowler Silverwood is happy to see consistent performance from Sri Lanka bowlers and batters .This is a good opportunity before the next world cup and it’s learning process for the players. It is nice to see Sri Lanka batters and bowlers perform well in first and second Pallekele matches, said Silverwood.

The batters really played well while they are gaining confidence day by day and during the training they are very much focusing on cricket .Batting and bowling performance is more important while bowlers really work hard and maintain good line and length while individual performance also high.I am really pleased with opener Pathum Nissanka’ performance and he is really working hard and his consistent performance day by day very good and he made record double century which was the first by a Sri Lankan which is a huge achievement he said.We want to finish the ODI series on a high note said Silverwood.

Afghanistan Assistant Coach Rais Ahmadzai said Sri Lanka were well ahead of us during first two ODI and their bowlers put up a good show in the second game. Our batters did a good job at the first game chasing 382 and finally lost by only 42 runs while second game Sri Lanka batters passed 300 mark and we were struggling after good start and we wanted to rectify our mistakes and want at least to win the third and final ODI today to go into T- 20 series with more confidence.

Our two key spinners Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman are injured and we are not taking any risks and wait for their recovery period. The injuries to Rashid and Mujeeb is a good opporunity for other youngsters to impress he said.Meanwhile, Pallekele International Stadium Manager SLC Exco member Janaka Pathirana is working hard to get success at this ODI series while chief curator Asitha Wijesinghe and International venue Manager Godfrey Dabarera and his team is working very hard to make good wickets.

( Source : Daily News)