Asalanka guided me to build up my innings, says Madushka

Nishan Madushka the seventh Sri Lankan ODI cricketer to score  a fifty on debut said Skipper Charith Asalanka gave fine guidance to build up his debut innings at Pallekele against West Indies in their first ODI. Sri Lanka won the first game by 5 wickets with 31 balls to spare ( DLS system ) to get series lead 1-0 and opener Nishan Madushka played a  key role with Skipper Asalanka to get this victory.

The 25-year-old right hand opener Madushka  earlier played ten test matches before making  his  debut ODI. I am really happy to get ODI status to help my team success and it’s never pressure for me because of my early test match experience. I performed well at the recent NSL limited over tournament which paved the way to get the chance added Madushka a product of Moratu MV.

I always adjust to play my game and not a special plan to get debut fifty .My aim was  to rotate strike and build up the innings. When I joined  skipper Asalanka we shared our plans and as a skipper his experience gave big boost to me. He said play positive with normal game and rotate the strike. He also said when the loose ball gets tried to hit hard to get runs. West Indies  bowlers bowled well but due to rain  they couldn’t bowl as they expected. They couldn’t  get much turn at that stage and skipper Asalanka advised me to stay at the  wicket  until 20-25 overs and both of us played with more confidence to build up our partnership which was 137 runs  fourth wicket stand and this combination made  less pressure to reach our target said Madushka who replaced  injured Pathum Nissanka as an opener.

Madushka said “I always wanted to play my normal game and never build up pressure and always wanted to go with a  positive mind set. I always think getting a chance to play for the team is an honour to me. As a top order batter wanted to perform well in  all my games and getting debut fifty give me big boost to me.

Nishan Madushka reached  the National level in a test match against New Zealand in Wellington in March 2023 and after one and half years he received  ODI status.

He does not like to  be labelled as a test player.I was a member of National under 19 team for 2018 world cup and scored my maiden test century against Ireland in Galle. Earlier he scored 269 against Kent at Canterbury in their Sri Lanka Emerging XI game and this was  the highest first class score by a Sri Lankan cricketer in England. I know I have to go a long journey  step by step concluded Nishan Madushka.

 Source:Daily News