Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka on Sunday credited the spinners for their dominating nine-wicket win over Ireland in a T20 World Cup match, saying keeping spin options for the death overs did the trick.
It was the bowling unit, especially spin duo of Maheesh Theekshana (2/19) and Wanindu Hasaranga (2/25), who set up the win by restricting Ireland to 128 for 8.
"Really happy with the way we've played the game, we set out to do some things and did well. We knew spin would play a major role, we knew they'd like pace, so we kept a lot of spin for the back-end," Shanaka said at the post-match presentation ceremony here.
Kusal Mendis then complemented the bowlers with a 43-ball 68 as Sri Lanka registered an easy chase.
"He has been consistent this year (on Kusal Mendis), has played according to the situation most of the times, That's what he has improved - it is high-class batting. That consistency which Sri Lanka needed for a long time, that gives us a luxury," Shanaka said. "Death bowling is our key area and the start is important - we did that really good. Want to continue with that confidence."