Struck form at the right time - Sanath
Chris Dhambarage from pakistan
Man of the match Sanath Jayasuriya warned his opponents that the best
of his batting is yet to come after slamming his 26th one day
international century against Bangladesh in the six nation Asia Cup
tournament Super Four match played under lights at the National Stadium
in Karachi on Monday.
The veteran opener celebrated his 39th birthday by stroking an
aggressive 130 runs as Sri Lanka went on to book a place in the final
with a most comprehensive 158 run victory. Jayasuriya noted that he has
struck form at the correct time after a lean period where he was
struggling for runs soon after the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean.
The dashing left hander has comeback with a vengeance and his
outstanding performances in the high profile inaugural Indian Premier
League Twenty20 tournament prompted the national selectors to include
him in the squad at the eleventh hour.
Jayasuriya has certainly not let down the selectors who recently gave
an assurance that he could play until the 2011 World Cup in the sub
continent depending on his form and fitness. The manner in which he
plundered the Bangladesh bowlers gave a clear indication of his
determination and the hunger for runs.
Jayasuriya who has played in 414 one day internationals said that he
was keen to make a big hundred in this game after missing out a golden
opportunity against the same opposition in a preliminary round match at
the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Jayasuriya was rested for the match against the United Arab Emirates
team but failed in the Super Four opening clash against Pakistan on
Sunday. But he said that he had to make an impact somehow to gain his
confidence back which he did in the most spectacular manner.
Sri Lanka will take on India in their last Asia Cup Super Four match
on Thursday before the final on July 6. Jayasuriya said that the support
he received at the other end from vice captain Kumar Sangakkara was
excellent and that really inspired him to push for a big score.
Jayasuriya has now accumulated a total of 210 runs from his three
outings and also became the first batsman to complete one thousand runs
in the history of the Asia Cup tournament. His performance was even more
significant considering the fact that he became the second oldest player
ever to score a century in one day internationals.
Jayasuriya commended the excellent support and corporation rendered
by the entire team towards his success and vowed to bring back the Asia
Cup back to Sri Lanka by winning the final on July 6. KARACHI, Tuesday. |