Dinesh Chandimal determined to emerge champs in T20 Tournament

by Ranjan Anandappa

The Sri Lanka T20 captain Dinesh Chandimal is determined to maintain the top spot which the side has gained in the T20 International Rankings when Sri Lanka meets Pakistan in their two T20 matches at Dubai on December 11 and 13. Besides the T20 games, Sri Lanka will take on Pakistan in five ODI’s and three Test matches .

The Sri Lanka T20 team will leave for UAE on December 6th while the other ODI and Test players will join the team in time for the ODI’s and Test matches.

The United Arab Emirates has become Pakistan’s home venue as they once met the Lankans in a similar series in 2011. Pakistan recently met South Africa in a series played in November.

Sri Lanka T20 captain Dinesh Chandimal said that at present Sri Lanka is the number one in the T20 format and he is determined to maintain that position with the help of the other players who have rallied around him.

“ I am very pleased with the side because we are playing well as a team in the T20 Internationals. We are placed number one in the rankings and all should, including the management, get the credit. We hope to take the positives for the next games and win matches. We have some good talented players, but we have only about another four matches prior to the T20 World Cup competition to be held in Bangladesh in March next year. We should expose the young players as much as possible in the remaining games and find the best combination for the T20 World Cup. Pakistan is a strong team. They have done well against South Africa and players should rally around effectively to beat them.“ said the Sri Lankan captain Chandimal.

Dinesh Chandimal will captain the Sri Lanka T20 side for the sixth occasion with seasoned players like Tillekeratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Angelo Mathews the regular Test and ODI captain, Nuwan Kulasekera and deputy skipper of the team Lasith Malinga a specialist in the shorter version of the game. He will also have the services of some youngsters, namely Kusal Janith Perera, Ramith Rambukwella and Kithruwan Vithanage who are contemporary players who have represented Royal College, Colombo for a couple of years.

The Sri Lanka T20 squad: Dinesh Chandimal (Captain), Lasith Malinga, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Kusal Janith Perera, Kumar Sangakkara, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kithruwan Vithanage, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekera, Seekuge Prasanna, Suranga Lakmal,Sachitra Senanayake, Ajantha Mendis, Ramith Rambukwella.

Match schedule.

Dec.11 - 1st T20 in Dubai
Dec.13- 2nd T20-in Dubai
Dec 18- 1st ODI - in Sharjah
Dec 20- 2nd ODI -2nd ODI in Dubai
Dec 22 - 3rd -ODI in Sharjah
DEC 25- 4th ODI in Abu Dhabi
Dec. 27- 5th ODIO in Abu Dhabi
Dec. 31 to Jan.4th- First Test in Dubai
Jan. 8 to 12th 2nd Test in Abu Dhabi
Jan. 16 to 20 - 3rd Test in Sharjah.