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Wanindu Hasaranga a proper ambassador for Sri Lanka cricket: Bhanuka Rajapaksa

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Last updated on 31 Oct 2021 | 07:55 AM
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Wanindu Hasaranga a proper ambassador for Sri Lanka cricket: Bhanuka Rajapaksa

The leg-spinner's hat-trick went in vain as South Africa edged past Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka suffered a heartbreaking loss at the hands of South Africa in Sharjah. Wanindu Hasaranga took a hat-trick, but in the end, David Miller smashed two sixes in the final over off Lahiru Kumara to take his side home. 

Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who was dismissed for a three-ball duck against South Africa reckons Hasaranga's rise has been a phenomenal one and he is no the ambassador of Sri Lanka cricket.

"He shows what sort of class he had been carrying for the past few years, and he's a very important part of the team, especially with the ball, but he could be a proper batsman. He's a proper all-rounder," Rajapaksa said at the post-match press conference.

"Wanindu's inclusion in the past two years has made a big difference to the side because being a wrist spinner, going against Shamsi, who's No. 1 playing in the opposition side, it's never easy. Wanindu has been extremely, extremely great for Sri Lanka cricket. He's a proper ambassador for Sri Lanka cricket," he further added.

While admitting that it was emotional to come up second against South Africa after being in control for most of the match, he also praised David Miller for finishing the match off. "It's really emotional as a team because we are a very young team. I think we have the most inexperienced side taking part in the tournament. As a team who was not doing that well in the past few months, we have grown so well together," Rajapaksa said.

"It's very emotional, again, but hats off and credit goes to Miller, you know. He's a world-class finisher, and we knew what he could do."

"I think the match cost us in the last few balls and no hard feelings. It's just Lahiru (Kumara) was trying his level best to get those yorkers in, but it's a lot of pressure bowling to a world-class player. But I think it's a learning curve for us, and we will come back strong," he further added.

Sri Lanka have won just one of their Super 12 matches. They face England and West Indies next and need to beat both of them to have a chance of making it through to the next round.

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