‘It is non-negotiable’ - Wanindu Hasaranga calls for fielding boost as Sri Lanka prepare for T20 World Cup

Newly-appointed skipper Wanindu Hasaranga expects his teammates to get better in fielding as Sri Lanka is set to begin their T20 World Cup preparations. After missing out on the ODI World Cup 2023 due to a hamstring injury, the spinner recently made his return to professional cricket and picked up a seven-wicket haul in the third ODI against Zimbabwe. 

Despite multiple positives, the 26-year-old is concerned about Sri Lanka’s fielding in the recent past. They have dropped 16 catches in the ODI World Cup in India, which pushed them to finish second-last on the points table. Keeping that in mind, Hasaranga stated that fielding is non-negotiable in the coming times as he understands the importance of it.

“I have told the team at the outset that fielding will be very important. No matter how well you bat or bowl, if you don't field well then you'll struggle to make it to the side. Fielding is non-negotiable. We have another five months for the World Cup... Fielding is the easiest way we can improve our cricket and it makes a lot of difference between winning and losing in T20 cricket,” Hasaranga was quoted as saying by The Times of India.

Desperately trying to turn things around: Sikandar Raza

Zimbabwe are the sole full-member nation of the ICC to miss the upcoming T20 World Cup, which is slated to begin on June 1. Uganda stunned them with a terrific victory and following which, Zimbabwe were knocked out of the qualifiers. Veteran all-rounder Sikandar Raza mentioned that the entire country is devastated as they are desperately trying to turn things around.

“It's really heartbreaking not just for me and cricketers but for the whole nation as well. We are desperately trying to turn things around. I think you needed that desperation to turn things around. Having said that, we have learned a lot of lessons and hopefully, we will make Zimbabwe cricket great again,” Raza said.