Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana need to take inspiration from Afghanistan spinners: Wasim Jaffer

Sri Lanka squares up against a resurgent Afghanistan side in the first match of the Super 4 stage in the ongoing Asia Cup tournament. While the islanders made their way to this stage after a thrilling victory over Bangladesh, Afghanistan have been the dominant side in the competition so far. Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer reckoned that the Sri Lankan spinners need to take inspiration from their Afghani counterparts.

Sri Lanka, who were the most underprepared side in the lead-up to the tournament, were subjected to an embarrassing defeat in their first match against Afghanistan earlier in the tournament. But the islanders bounced back spectacularly with a narrow victory over Bangladesh in a riveting contest.

Wasim Jaffer wants more responsibility from the Sri Lankan spinners in the Super 4 matches

While the batting has been their weak point in the tournament so far, Jaffer suggested the Sri Lankan spinners take inspiration from the Afghanistan spinners, who have been exceptional in the tournament. The pair of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana hasn't been able to perform at their usual high standards and Jaffer, in conversation with CricTracker on BatBricks7 presents the Run Ki Runneeti show, talked about them taking more responsibility.

"It will be a good contest between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. Hasaranga and Theekshana need to raise the bar, taking inspiration from their counterparts, Nabi, Rashid, and Mujeeb. Sri Lanka has got a young fast bowling unit who are relatively new to the format, so I think Hasaranga and Theekshana need to take more responsibility with the ball in the Super 4," said Jaffer.

Notably, Wanindu Hasaranga, who was the top-ranked T20I bowler in the ICC rankings at the beginning of the year has slipped down to the sixth spot and has not been able to perform at the same high standards he set in this year's edition of the IPL, where he scalped an impressive 26 wickets, playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore.