Cricket World Cup 2023: Sri Lanka's Rising Stars Dream Of Emulating Class Of 1996

When Sri Lanka clinched a shock 1996 World Cup triumph, Dunith Wellalage and Matheesha Pathirana were not even born, but the rising stars head to India determined to repeat the victory. Both aged 20, fast bowler Pathirana and all-rounder Wellalage are undeterred by facing childhood heroes at the tournament that opens on October 5. "We are looking forward to bringing the World Cup back to Sri Lanka," Pathirana told AFP.

"I want to win as many matches for Sri Lanka as I can."

The island nation is still hurting from the drubbing by India in the Asia Cup final this month in which they were all out for just 50 runs.

But Wellalage is confident that with the preparations they have undergone, Sri Lanka can do well at the World Cup.

"We have players with the experience of playing around the world," he said. "We plan it match by match... I think we can give a good account of ourselves."

Wellalage produced his best performance in one-day internationals in the Asia Cup match against India in Colombo on September 12, taking 5 for 40 although India went on to win by 41 runs.

"From my childhood, the player I adored is Virat Kohli," he said.

"To take his wicket gave me a lot of satisfaction. After I got his wicket, I couldn't believe that I had done it."

'Simple plans'

Wellalage approaches the game seemingly unruffled by the pressure on his young shoulders.

"If you handle the situations correctly, batting becomes easy," Wellalage said, who captained Sri Lanka in the U19 World Cup last year, scoring a century and claiming 17 wickets.

"When I get out to the middle, I always stick to simple plans," he said.

"If there is a senior player at the other end, I try to support him," he added.

"Otherwise, I try and rotate the strike as much as