Hasaranga, Nissanka's absence 'creates an opportunity' for Sri Lanka, says Chris Silverwood

The T20I series between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh is scheduled to commence at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Monday, March 4. Notably, Sri Lanka will have to navigate the first two T20Is without their skipper Wanindu Hasaranga.

The key figure was sanctioned with a two-match suspension and a 50% match fee fine by the International Cricket Council for his verbal spat with umpire Lyndon Hannibal during the recently-concluded series against Afghanistan.

With his absence affecting Sri Lanka’s lineup, head coach, Chris Silverwood, opined that Hasaranga’s absence could prove to be a blessing in disguise for the side. 

"Wanindu missing two matches is something that we have to deal with. Wanindu has accepted his punishment, and all we have to do now is move on. What it does do is create an opportunity for other people within the squad to get significant game time leading into the World Cup," Silverwood was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

"That's how we have to look at it because we've seen in a World Cup and Sri Lanka have experienced that it's not just the eleven on the field; it's a whole squad that takes part in the World Cup, and at any given point, they will all be called upon, and so, we have to make sure that everybody within that squad is ready for those games as and when they're called upon,” he added.

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Furthermore, Silverwood discussed the unavailability of star batter Pathum Nissanka. It's important to note that Nissanka suffered a hamstring injury during the freshly-wrapped up series against Afghanistan. Recognizing his absence, Silverwood opined that the 25-year-old's absence would allow other players to step up.

"We're looking forward to getting him back. But as I've said before, I mean, this also creates an opportunity for people that might not get that game time that may be required, obviously, for a World Cup. So, for me, it's going to provide someone else with game time," Silverwood said.

Also Read: Hasaranga, Gurbaz penalised for breaching ICC Code of Conduct