Spinner Dunith Wellalage stated on Tuesday that co-hosts Sri Lanka can salvage their struggling T20 World Cup campaign by winning both of their remaining Super Eight games, beginning with New Zealand.
The Lankans will be eliminated prior to their final game against Pakistan if they fail to defeat New Zealand in their Super Eights match on Wednesday in Colombo.
A day after New Zealand and Pakistan each earned a point from a washout, Sri Lanka was left on the verge of defeat after being blasted out for 95 against England to lose by 51 runs.
“We have got to now win both these games. We know how important a home World Cup is. The fans have turned up in numbers and we have always believed that we can make it to the semi-finals. The last two games haven’t gone to our plan but we are looking forward to the must-win clash,” AFP quoted left-arm spinner Wellalage as saying.
Wellalage, 23, has stepped up for Sri Lanka when seasoned bowlers Matheesha Pathirana, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Eshan Malinga have been sidelined due to injury. Wellalage took three wickets, including that of captain Harry Brook, while bowling in England’s powerplay.
“It was a challenge bowling during the power plays and the key was for me to deny the batsmen boundaries. I had to be clever with my lengths and when I did that the batters had to take a few chances. I relished the new challenge,” he said.
Since winning the 2014 T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka have struggled in international competitions. They won the Test and ODI series and drew the T20 series 1-1 when they hosted New Zealand in late 2024.
“We have played New Zealand a lot in recent years and we know that we can beat them in these conditions. We are still in with a chance to make it to the semis and winning tomorrow will be important.”
