Sri Lanka went on to win the T20 World Cup after defeating India in the final of the 2014 event but have been on a down slide since then. Making the most of resources at hand The situation has deteriorated so much that Sri Lanka - one of the top teams of the world at one point - had to play a qualifying event against teams like Papua New Guinea and Scotland to even qualify for the super 12 stage of the competition. However, the team did a fine job of what they had in hand and despite winning just two matches out of their five in the super 12 stage, they clearly showed that they had the necessary talent which can be groomed in the near future to build their side again. Arthur pleased Sri Lanka head coach Mickey Arthur was pleased with the team's performance in the competition despite them not being able to qualify to the semifinal. "We've shaken up the World Cup. I think we have," Arthur told a news conference ahead of Friday's final group match against holders West Indies. "I think we've pushed teams. The disappointing thing for me is, in every game we've played in the last three, whether it be Australia, be that South Africa and be that England, we've had opportunities to win the game. We're not going to qualify this year but Sri Lankan cricket is now in good hands." Asalanka, Rajapaksa, Hasaranga stand out CharithAsalanka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa were the two batsmen that stood out for the team in the competition. As always WaninduHasaranga continued to impress and outgoing coach Mickey Arthur had only kind words to say about the super talented spinner. Hasaranga finished the competition with 16 wickets from 8 matches at an average of under 10 and an economy rate of 5.20, standing head and shoulders ahead of his competitors. "Every time I see him with a ball or see him with a bat or in the field, he excites me as a cricketer," Arthur said of the leg-spinner. "He's riding the crest of a wave. He works unbelievably hard at his game and doesn't leave anything to chance in terms of his preparation. I couldn't be happier with where he is at the moment. He's a genuine world superstar at the moment," added Arthur. World cricket would be stronger with a stronger Sri Lankan cricket team in the midst of it.
