Ranatunga could see Tigers winning World Cup

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Cricket365
April 7, 2017

Former Sri Lanka skipper Arjuna Ranatunga feels that Bangladesh could win the biggest prize in the sport in the not too distant future.

Ranatunga feels the Tigers will be in with a shout of claiming the title when the World Cup returns to Asia in 2023 if they can develop more young talent.

Speaking to Bangladeshi media in a special press conference at the Port Authority Ministry in Colombo where he now works Rantunga said: “The only thing they [Bangladesh] need to concentrate on is looking after younger cricketers.

“They need to play a lot of A team cricket, they should go on a lot of U-19 tours. I personally believe they are on the right track, but they need more commitment from their younger players.

“They should plan for 2023. Maybe they should groom a top U-19 side, maybe U-23 side and allow them to play lots of cricket, not mix them with the national side.

“If they plan properly I think it could not be difficult to win the World Cup in the subcontinent. I always prefer that you should target the semifinals first. After that, it’s all about commitment and luck.

“They have a few good pacers. They have some who can bowl at good pace, and they have a very good left-handed pacer, very promising.

“They need to plan to protect them till the World Cup and even till 2023. Their team will be very good for the next World Cup.

“They need a very good batsman in the middle order. To win the World Cup they will have to find their own Aravinda de Silva.”

Ranatunga feels that Bangladesh have improved immensely over the last few years something he finds very pleasing having played in the country for a spell.

The former skipper feels this is largely down to the approach of the BCB whom he feels are doing a better job than Sri Lanka Cricket.

He said: “I think Bangladesh have improved a lot.

“I said three years ago that the way Bangladesh are going, they would beat Sri Lanka in Tests. And that happened in the series. Their commitment is good.

“I have played in Bangladesh for three seasons in Mohammedan in 88-89. It felt good that they are doing well.

“I always told them to improve school cricket when I played in Mohammedan. Concentrate in junior level otherwise your cricket structure will not survive. I think they have successfully implemented it so far.

“Some Sri Lankan coaches helped Bangladesh cricket in the last decade. And the current coaches are doing well also. I think the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is more focused than Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) at the moment.”