ICC T20 World Cup 2016: No issues being called underdogs, says Angelo Mathews

Though Sri Lanka are the defending champions of the ICC World T20 2016, one can very easily say there are slender chances of them winning the cup again. Currently, the Sri Lankan team is going through a transition phase and are trying to cope up with the retirements of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.

Skipper Angelo Mathews has stated that his team had no problems in being branded as ‘Underdogs’ for the current edition of the Cup, as it does not put the team under pressure.

“The fact that we are coming as underdogs release the pressure. Yes, we didn’t do well in the Asia Cup but we’re getting better day by day. I’m confident of my team’s progress,” Mathews said on the eve of their Super 10 opener against Afghanistan.

He also mentioned that Sri Lanka needed only one victory to get their momentum back. “We’re not looking too far ahead at the moment and we will take one game at a time. We need one good game to get our momentum back,” said the skipper.

Afghans are no new to the islanders as they met before in the World Cup 2015.In that match, Sri Lanka huffed and puffed in chasing down Afghanistan’s score of 232, but ultimately they won thanks to Mahela Jayawardene’s ton. Therefore, Mathews would not be taking them lightly this time.

“We can’t call Afghanistan minnows. They beat all the teams in the qualifiers and progressed. We are taking them very seriously. They can upset any team. We have to really play well to beat Afghanistan. They’re really tough. It (2015 WC) was too close game. They really fought hard against us. We have to fight well. If we play to our potential, we can beat them”, said the all-rounder.

‘Not ready’ a wrong word

Mathews also clarified his earlier statements after Lasith Malinga’s stepdown at the last-minute. He was quoted saying in media that he was not mentally prepared for the role of captain. “I think I used a wrong word ‘not ready’. What I meant was I was not expecting the captaincy. I’ve been a part and parcel of the team and captain of the ODI and Test teams for about three years. I’m very familiar with the players. It’s not a burden at all. My task now is to get the maximum out of players from the bunch that we have. I’m really confident.”

The 28-year old also urged Sri Lankan players to take more responsibility following the retirements of Sangakkara and Jayawardene.”It’s quite hard to fill those gaps. They served us for so many years. They’ve retired. Cricket will live forever...no one is permanent in the team. Whosoever comes into the team has to take responsibility. Yes, I’ve had a lean patch but I have been batting well at the nets and have to carry on,” said Mathews.

Sri Lanka will be facing the West Indies after their match against Afghanistan.