ICC WT20 2014: Sri Lanka aim to clinch semi-final spot, says Dinesh Chandimal
Sri Lanka will target a place in the semis in their match against England in Chittagong, as action resumes after a day’s rest in ICC World T20 2014.
A win will establish Sri Lanka’s position in Group One. South Africa, in the same group, will also seek an easy win against the Netherlands.
However, Sri Lankan captain Dinesh Chandimal said his side will not take anything for granted.
“England are a good T20 side and we have special game plans for them but we are never going to underestimate them,” said Chandimal, whose team beat South Africa by five runs in their opening match.
They then crushed the Netherlands by nine wickets after demolishing them for 39 all out — the lowest-ever total in Twenty20 internationals.
“To win the first match was important for our team and it is that momentum we carried into the second game and that is very important,” said Chandimal.
“We know if we win one of our last two games we can make it to the semi-finals, but we are looking to win both.”
England’s middle-order batsman Ravi Bopara said his team is looking forward to the challenge.
“It is a must win game for us,” admitted Bopara. “We have to win, winning against Sri Lanka would be a big thing for us, which will be a big confident boost and that’s the way we are looking at it.”
Bopara said England will be up to the challenge of facing paceman Lasith Malinga.
“It is tough to hit Malinga,” said Bopara of the slinger Malinga, regarded as one of the best death over bowlers.
“I think the best way to approach him is trying to deflect him past the gaps, and hope to get some bat on it to square, he does a very good slower ball.”
