Sri Lankan cricketers are due to start training in Florida on May 25. Kusal Mendis, Asitha Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana and Nuwan Thushara are expected to join the team today, according to a senior official of SLC.

SLC has worked hard to resolve Kusal Mendis’ visa issue. All players, except Janith Liyanage are with the squad and are training in North Carolina before their two warm-up matches on May 28 against Netherlands and May 31 against Ireland.

USA records upset           win over Bangladesh  

According to the ICC, all the teams have reached USA and West Indies for the forthcoming ICC T 20 world cup which will commence from June 1 to 29. The host USA already made an upset win over Bangladesh in their T-20 series, making the first time the two teams have met in this T-20 tournament in Dallas.

Cory Anderson and Harmeet Singh shine  

Former New Zealand cricketer Cory Anderson hit an unbeaten 34 off 25 balls, guiding USA to beat Bangladesh by 5 wickets in their first T-20 international of their three-match series. USA, ranked 19th in T-20 internationals, chased down their target of 154 with 3 balls to spare in Dallas, Texas. Anderson was leading from the front.

Bangladesh appeared to be in control when the hosts needed 50 off last 20 balls but former India under 19 all rounder Harmeet Singh hit 33 off 13 balls with three successive sixes to turn the tide.

USA still required 24 off the last 12 balls, but Anderson promptly struck two sixes to help seal his side’s memorable win. Anderson and Harmeet Singh added 62 runs in 4.4 overs in a match-winning six-wicket stand.

This is the USA’s second win against a full-member T20 international side, following their victory over Ireland in 2021.

With this upset win, the USA team has built up confidence ahead of the T20 World Cup.

The Sri Lankan team, considered underdogs in this tournament, is not on the favourites or semi-finalists list. This, however, puts less pressure on Wanindu Hasaranga’s team to move forward, according to cricket experts.