Defending champions Sri Lanka will launch their campaign to defend the World T20 title when they’ll take on spirited...
Defending champions Sri Lanka will launch their campaign to defend the World T20 title when they’ll take on spirited Afghanistan at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday.
Sri Lanka could win only four of their 14 matches since they defeated India to win the 2014 World T20 in Bangladesh. The side is coming to World T20 under pressure after a dismal show in Asia Cup T20.
And just before the start of 2016 World T20, skipper Lasith Malinga stepped down as captain due to a knee injury with skipper’s band handed over to Angelo Mathews.
Adding insult to injury, Malinga might miss the match against Afghanistan due to an injury.
Although, Sri Lanka would start as favorites of the match, but Afghanistan’s recent form and tradition of surprising opponents can’t be ruled out just yet.
Afghanistan have won all of their last 5 T20I encounters, while Sri Lanka could win only one of last five they played.
Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews is unfazed, rather he is relieved to start the tournament as underdogs.
“The fact that we are coming as underdogs release the pressure,” he said.
“We’re not looking too far ahead at the moment and we will take one game at a time. We need one good game to get our momentum back,” said Mathews.
Afghanistan’s skipper Asghar Stanikzai is looked confident ahead of the match against Sri Lanka.
"We know how to beat full members at the elite level. We have got that experience. As long as we play more games with full members,” said Stanikzai
"We have players who can perform and change the game at the end of the day. We are not only participating but looking forward to beat some big teams," he said.