Jayawardena completes 22,000 runs in all forms:

Hundredth day countown to ICC T20 launched in style

ELMO Rodrigopulle from Pallekelle, Sunday

The 100th day countdown for the ICC Twenty20 World Cup 2012 to be conducted in Sri Lanka from September 18 to October 7 was launched in style at the Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium, yesterday. Before going on to describe the launch, the distinguished persons present at the media briefing congratulated Sri Lanka's dynamic captain Mahela Jayawardena for scoring 22,000 run in all forms of the game.

He reached that milestone during his dazzling knock of 53 which went a long way in helping Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in the Second One-Day International under lights at Pallekelle on Saturday and square the series.

'He is a great Ambassador and a role model', was how Chief Executive of the ICC Haroon Lorgat described this gentleman cricketer who is the darling of cricket fans who made a comeback as captain when the game and he country needed badly needs him.

The excitement to the T20 World Cup is gathering and it was the consensus of all who spoke, from the two captains Mohammed Hafeez of Pakistan and Mahela Jayawardena of Sri Lanka, Haroono Lorgat, Upali Dharmadasa, President SLC, Sri Lanka women's captain Shashikala Siriwardena that the coming tournament was going to be one if one if not the best conducted in this region.

Also present was Sarath Ekanayake, Chief Minister, Central Province. Incidentally Slinging ace Lasith Malinga has been appointed Brand Ambassador for the great event by the ICC and when asked about the appointment he expressed great joy and said that he was proud to receive this honour for himself and on behalf of the country.

The cricket no doubt will be exciting and the three captains said that it will be thrill a moment cricket and predicting a winner will be no easy task because all teams will be fielding their best and playing from out of their skins because winning any ICC event is a great achievement.

At the outset it was a pretty picture to watch more than 300 school children from the Kandy District from forming a giant '100', celebrating the 100th day countdown to the ICC World Twenty20.

The ICC together with Sri Lanka Cricket donated cricket bats to 100 girls and boys schools playing competitive cricket in the Kandy District. There were two media releases to mark the event by ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat and SLC President Upali Dharmadasa.

'We are now 100 days away from the first ICC World Twenty20 tournament in Asia. This year's event promises to be even more explosive as player skills in the T20 format has expanded and cricket fans from around the world are dashing to be in Sri Lanka, said Lorgat.

'The ICC World Twenty20 is a sporting spectacle not to be missed by any cricket fan. Sri Lanka is ready and excited to host the global event and I sincerely encourage all cricket fans to purchase the remaining tickets early to avoid last minute disappointment', said Upali Dharmadasa. Pallekelle, Sunday