Usually, we are done with T-20 World Cups in just about three weeks, even when the qualifying round preceded the competition. This time around the tournament in the Caribbean and the United States stretches exactly a month. The reason being that this World Cup comprises 20 teams.
This tournament includes regular associates like Netherlands and Oman along with total outsiders like Uganda. USA are in the competition as hosts while Canada are making a comeback after a while. T-20 is such an unpredictable format that any of these teams can make strong sides eat humble pie.
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Take the last edition of the tournament for example. Namibia overcame former champions Sri Lanka in the curtain-raiser. Scotland humbled two times champions West Indies, the next day. Then, Ireland stunned eventual champions England. It just takes some maniac big hitting or a double wicket maiden to change the course of a game.
Let’s see what upsets we are going to witness this time around.
Sri Lanka’s opening match against South Africa is crucial. In the last ten years, the Proteas have had the wood over Sri Lanka in ICC events. Since beating them in the 2014 edition of T-20 World Cup, Sri Lanka have been beaten by South Africa twice in this format in 2016 and 2021. They have also won three 50 over World Cup encounters in 2015, 2019 and 2023. Then there’s also the Champions Trophy in 2017 won by South Africa.
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It’s quite surprising how easily South Africa have overcome Sri Lanka in the last ten years although they themselves have been awful when it comes to ICC events throughout their history. Sri Lankan fans will be hoping that the losing trend ends in New York.
If Sri Lanka lose in New York. Then their next game against Bangladesh in Dallas will be a high-pressure match. On paper, Sri Lanka should overcome Chandika Hathurusinghe’s side having overcome them so convincingly in the recent bilateral series. However, in such a high-stake game, a few errors could cost the team dearly in their bid to move on to the second round. We all remember what happened in Delhi last year when these teams met. The narrow defeat eventually cost Sri Lanka a place in the Champions Trophy.
If Sri Lanka overcome Bangladesh, they are expected to cruise past Nepal in Miami and Netherlands in St. Lucia in their remaining two Group D games.
Matheesha Pathirana is the x-factor of the side. Any bowler clocking 150kmph is tough to handle but when those thunderbolts are delivered with an awkward action, it becomes unplayable.
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Matheesha has been quite handful this year in bilateral series that Sri Lanka have played although he has struggled with his line sending down too many wides to the captain’s liking. Injuries sidelined him in recent outings both for Sri Lanka and CSK in the IPL. Fans will be hoping he’ll be firing on all cylinders in this competition.
Dushmantha Chameera is obviously leader of the pack but the man who has been most effective in white ball cricket in recent years has been Dilshan Madushanka. The left-arm quick had a dream World Cup last year in India finishing as the third highest wicket taker in the competition.
Wanindu Hasaranga has come a long way in the last two years; proof for that is that he will be heading into the World Cup as the world’s number one ranked all-rounder. He has always been a handy bowler, but his new role as ‘floater’ in the batting line-up has been devastating. Hasaranga can change a game with his power hitting in a couple of overs and opponents will be wary of the Sri Lankan skipper.
The team has covered all bases in the bowling department and it looks quite formidable. There are still concerns with the batting though.
This year, the batters had done reasonably well. Kusal Mendis was Player of the Series in their last T-20 series. Pathum Nissanka went on to post the first ever double hundred by a Sri Lankan in white ball cricket. Kamdindu Mendis nearly won a game in Dambulla with his big hitting.
Charith Asalanka has been involved in many a rescue act. Sadeera Samarawickrama’s both half-centuries in T-20 Internationals have come this year. Angelo Mathews has been quite steady along with Dasun Shanaka in the lower middle order.
So, there are definite signs of improvements. But the problem is it remains to be seen how the team will go against bigger boys. So far, all these wins have come against Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. How will they fare against stronger teams?
It must be said that the selectors have been quite clever and meticulous with their planning. The first six months have been smooth sailing, but rough seas await over the next six months.
