Maheesh Theekshana Archives

Maheesh Theekshana says England ‘underestimated’ us

Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana on Thursday said defending champions England “underestimated” his team in their key ICC World Cup 2023 clash.

The island nation bundled out a struggling England for 156 inside 34 overs and reached their target with 146 balls to spare in Bengaluru.

Jos Buttler’s England slipped to their fourth defeat in five matches to be on the brink of elimination in ICC World Cup 2023 while Sri Lanka kept their hopes alive of reaching the semi-finals.

“I think they underestimated our team because we also lost three games and we only won against Netherlands. I think they underestimated us,” Theekshana told reporters.

“That’s why the result went our way because we backed our strength, we went with a simple plan, so that’s why we won the game today.”

Maheesh Theekshana, who returned miserly figures of 1-21 with his mystery spin, added: “Our confidence as a team has increased a lot because we have won two matches so far. And this match is a match in which we got a very happy victory.

“As a team, we are looking to play well in the upcoming four matches and reach the semifinals.”

Fast bowler Lahiru Kumara stood out with figures of 3-35 before Pathum Nissanka (77) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (65) steered the team home in an unbeaten stand of 137.

But it was the return of former captain Angelo Mathews that spurred the team on in the must-win match in the ICC World Cup 2023.

Mathews, who came in as a replacement for injured Matheesha Pathirana, made an instant impact with the first wicket of Dawid Malan, for 38, and later dismissed Moeen Ali, for 15.

Mathews, who has played 106 Tests and 222 ODIs for Sri Lanka since 2008, gave away just 14 runs in his five overs, which included a maiden as well, of medium-pace bowling.

“As a team, we are very happy that a very experienced player has joined our team. He has played in India. We have a lot to learn from him,” Maheesh Theekshana said of the veteran all-rounder.

“Even when we bowled, we used his experience in the match. The whole team is very happy to have such an experienced player on the team.”

Sri Lanka, who won the World Cup in 1996, have jumped to fifth in the 10-team table after their second win in five matches.

READ: Pakistan take on ruthless South Africa in must-win World Cup game

Sri Lanka may get a boost ahead of ICC World Cup 2023 clash against Pakistan

Sri Lanka received a big boost ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 fixture against Pakistan, scheduled on Tuesday as Maheesh Theekshana is likely to return to the side after recovering from an injury.

Maheesh Theekshana got selected in Sri Lanka’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 squad despite suffering from a hamstring injury in the Asia Cup 2023.

He did not play the side’s opening game of the tournament against South Africa at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday.

Sri Lanka’s assistant coach Naveed Nawaz said Maheesh Theekshana made a full recovery and should play the fixture.

“He’s fit and should play tomorrow,” Naveed Nawaz said. “Didn’t want to risk him in the first game against medical advice but he should be ready here.”

The assistant coach said they side should expect themselves to be under pressure against Pakistan as well.

“It’s simple, we expect to face similar pitches,” he said. “They’re not going to change; it’s going to be batting-friendly mostly. We have to look at our execution and see how we could’ve pulled back another 50-60 runs.

“We have to keep the group positive, that is most important. It’s a long tournament, we’re going to be playing, traveling and doing other things for over a month. We just have to take the learnings from each game and move forward.”

Pakistan and Sri Lanka started their ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign on different notes.

Pakistan defeated the Netherlands by 81 runs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Friday, whereas Sri Lanka lost to South Africa by 102 runs the following day.

Sri Lanka squad for World Cup

Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (vc), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka

Related – ICC World Cup 2023: Pakistan squad partakes in training session ahead of Sri Lanka clash

Major blow for Sri Lanka as Maheesh Theekshana out of Asia Cup final

Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana has been ruled out of the Asia Cup 2023 final against India due to an injury, captain Dasun Shanaka confirmed Saturday.

Theekshana, 23, hurt his hamstring during their Super Four win over Pakistan to make the Sunday final of the 50-over tournament, a prelude to the next month’s ODI World Cup in India.

“He won’t be able to take part in this game since he got a Grade 3 injury, but he will be there for the World Cup,” Shanaka told reporters on the eve of the title clash in Colombo.

Maheesh Theekshana claimed eight wickets in five matches to lend support to a youthful bowling attack alongside pacer Matheesha Pathirana and fellow spinner Dunith Wellalage.

“Maheesh Theekshana, who strained his right hamstring during the game against Pakistan, will not be available for the finals,” Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) stated.

“A scan was done and confirmed the muscle injury.

“Sri Lanka Cricket Selectors have brought in Sahan Arachchige into the squad in place of Theekshana.

“Theekshana will return to the High Performance Center to commence rehabilitation work.”

Sri Lanka, who cohosted the tournament with Pakistan, came in as underdogs but have made their 11th Asia Cup final and a have chance to clinch their seventh title.

The island nation snuck into the Super Fours with a dramatic win over Afghanistan and have kept up their momentum despite losing to India in the Asia Cup 2023 Super Fours.

“The boys really want to deliver for the country,” said Shanaka.

“As a team we have been underdogs, so everyone wants to perform on the bigger stage. These youngsters, they need to show the world what they are capable of.”

READ: Naseem Shah likely to miss ICC Men’s World Cup – report

Theekshana ruled out, Nissanka joins Sri Lanka squad before second Test

GALLE: Right-arm spinner Maheesh Theekshana has been ruled out of the second Test after injuring his bowling hand in the first match against Pakistan, while Pathum Nissanka has rejoined the Sri Lankan squad upon completion of his recovery after testing Covid positive.

According to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), uncapped right-arm offspinner Lakshitha Manasinghe received his maiden Test call to replace Theekshana in the playing Xl on a spin-dominated Galle wicket.

Theekshana featured in two Tests for Sri Lanka and grabbed two wickets in the last match before suffering an injury in one of his fingers on the right hand during the first Test against Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Manasinghe picked up 73 wickets in his 17 first-class appearances and starred with the bowl as he grabbed 13 wickets during the unofficial match between Sri Lanka A and Australia A.

On the other hand, top-order batter Nissanka’s inclusion in the playing Xl is doubtful as his replacement in the team Oshada Fernando impressed with scores of 35 and 64 in the first Test.

It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan clinched a remarkable four-wicket win after a historic run-chase in the first Test against Sri Lanka to lead the series 1-0 with the final Test scheduled from July 24 to 28 at the same venue.

READ: Samina Baig becomes first Pakistani woman to summit K2