Hasaranga, Nissanka’s absence ‘creates an opportunity’ for Sri Lanka, says Chris Silverwood

Wanindu Hasaranga. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)

Sri Lanka are all set to kick off their T20I series against Bangladesh at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Monday, March 4. However, it is worth noting that Sri Lanka will be without the services of skipper Wanindu Hasaranga for the first two T20Is of the series.

The star player was handed a two-match ban and fined 50 per cent of his match fee by the International Cricket Council for his outburst against umpire Lyndon Hannibal during the series against Afghanistan.

With his absence affecting Sri Lanka’s lineup, head coach, Chris Silverwood, opined that Hasaranga’s absence could prove to be a blessing in disguise for the side.

“Wanindu missing two matches is something that we have to deal with. Wanindu has accepted his punishment, and all we have to do now is move on. What it does do is create an opportunity for other people within the squad to get significant game time leading into the World Cup,” Silverwood was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

“That’s how we have to look at it because we’ve seen in a World Cup and Sri Lanka have experienced that it’s not just the eleven on the field; it’s a whole squad that takes part in the World Cup, and at any given point, they will all be called upon, and so we have to make sure that everybody within that squad is ready for those games as and when they’re called upon,” he added.

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Furthermore, Silverwood also talked of the absence of star batter Pathum Nissanka. It is worth noting that Nissanka sustained a hamstring injury during the recently concluded series against Afghanistan, and seeing his absence, Silverwood opined that the 25-year-old’s absence will create opportunities for other players.

“We’re looking forward to getting him back. But as I’ve said before, I mean, this also creates an opportunity for people that might not get that game time that may be required, obviously, for a World Cup. So, for me, it’s going to provide someone else with game time,” Silverwood said.

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