[Exclusive] Future of Sri Lankan cricket looks bright, credit to Sanath Jayasuriya and selectors: Dasun Shanaka

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Sri Lanka have been showing signs of improvement in red-ball as well as white-ball formats in recent times. Last month, they beat England in their own backyard in a Test match after a decade, which came right after they got the better of India in an ODI series in August. Former white-ball captain Dasun Shanaka, who led the Island nation to their fifth Asia Cup title in 2022, has been seeing the developments from close quarters.

The all-rounder recently plied his trade in the Zim Afro T10 2024, where he captained Harare Bolts to the playoffs. Shanaka spoke about his experience of playing in the league and the future of the T10 format during an exclusive interview with CricTracker. He also named players like Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka, and Dhananjaya de Silva, who can take Sri Lankan cricket to great heights in the years to come.

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This was your first time in the Zim Afro T10. What do you think is so special about the T10 format and what is your take on its future?

It’s really good to play T10 cricket, which allows us to express ourselves. And playing all around the globe, it will help the youngsters to play their strokes and to evolve their game a lot. So, I think that’s the key area that I would take from this T10.

What are your thoughts on George Munsey’s hundred – the first hundred in the Zim Afro T10.

He is the first one to go to the nets when we arrive to the ground. Everyone can talk about the hundred he scored but nobody talks (about) the work he does behind the scenes. So, what is important is the hard work that he put out and the mentality he takes to the game. He has been outstanding. The form he carries through is amazing and I wish him good luck.

From captaining the Sri Lanka to not doing it any longer. What is the difference in the role for you?

When captaining any side, there is always pressure. So, in the Sri Lankan team, I had to bat deep down the order. I took lot of pressure there… I have learned a lot from that position, which makes easier to play these kind of tournaments and to make it easy for myself going.

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How do you see the future of Sri Lankan cricket?

The future looks bright. The cricketers Sri Lanka has produced in recent times – Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, captain Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva – (have been) really good. Both the Test and the white ball, they are doing well currently. So, really pleased with the way things have gone. Credit to Sanath Jayasuriya and selectors as well.