“We want to qualify for the World Cup and want to win this Afghanistan ODI series said Sri Lanka team head coach Chris Silverwood after the victory in the second ODI on Sunday at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium .

“We have limited opportunities and time to prepare for the World Cup qualifier tournament and experience is vital at this stage.

Angelo Mathews was brought to the side to boost the batting line up and his experience is very important for the side said coach Chris Silverwood.

I’m very pleased with how we have bounced back,” Silverwood said. “If you could maintain that performance then, you are going to be very successful around the world. The key is to be consistent. They know they are capable of it now and most important is to maintain momentum said Silverwood.

We batted well and created partnerships. But equally, I thought, we were excellent in the field in this second game. I saw lots of energy and people supporting each other. We kept them below the required run rate and built pressure, and eventually it paid off. We took wickets in the middle overs, which is something we needed today.

Actually Dhananjaya de Silva batting at number six and he can adopt to any situation and it may be setting or chasing a target he used his experience. Dhananjaya played really well in first ODI having completed a half century followed by quick runs in this second game. He is a superb all rounder. Talking about his bowling; he is a very good one day bowler and ability to make a breakthrough added Silverwood.

In addition to making 29 not out off 24 balls, de Silva also claimed the key wicket of Ibrahim Zadran, on his way to the game’s best figures of 3 for 39. Although Afghanistan were behind the asking rate, de Silva’s three wickets – which came in three successive overs – helped send the opposition into a nosedive from which they would not recover. He had also hit 51 in the first ODI.

Sri Lanka players strategy to reduce the dot balls and rotate the strike at this format paid off and put pressure on opponents. They got runs quickly and reached the 300run mark and it was a fine achievement.

“I think Dimuth played superbly,” Silverwood said. “He had played well in the Test series against Ireland as well. I think his tempo is very good, and I think he and Pathum built a great platform for us to build on. When you have an 80-plus opening stand, it always helps. They gave us that platform for the rest of the guys to spring from.

“The partnership between Sadeera and Kusal was a fraction over a run-a-ball and the partnerships after that were at more than a run-a-ball. It shows what we can do when we have wickets in hand and a platform. Pushing fielders into corners and making the boundary sweepers work very hard – it worked during this second ODI added head coach Chris. Actually Wanindu being back in the team is very good. He is very active and always enjoying the game and he bowled really well and fielding is exceptional and his batting power give big boost. Actually he is a match winner and strengthens the team said Silverwood.

“ I think Matheesha Pathirana is a future prospect. He is carrying growth and having strength to strength in T-20 and he is little bit different. He is very patient and it’s X – factor from him. He is still very young and have to learn more on the ground and by training and want to develop skills “ Silverwood pointed about young Matheesha’ s skills.

Actually the players competition is very healthy and we need competition in the squad and players have to work hard and fight for the places and this is a good move from the players, said Chris Silverwood. The key factor is to be consistent and all players know about that and wanted to maintain good momentum.