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In the wake of Sri Lanka’s remarkable three-wicket triumph over Zimbabwe in the first T20I, the spotlight shifted to former Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews, whose stellar performance with a thumping knock of 48 runs played a crucial anchoring role in securing victory for his team.
What made Mathews’ contribution even more noteworthy was the fact that he received a T20I call-up after a prolonged hiatus of three years. Post-match, the 36-year-old cricketer candidly expressed his frustration, criticizing the Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) for seemingly overlooking him for an extended period.
Mathews’ powerful comeback not only underscored his enduring skills on the field but also raised questions about the selection decisions that had kept him sidelined from the T20I squad for such a substantial period.
Angelo Mathews lambasts at Sri Lanka Cricket
Mathews voiced his frustration at being overlooked for T20 World Cups (2021 and 2022) despite delivering stellar performances with both bat and ball in the last two Lanka Premier League (LPL) seasons. He suggested that decisions may have been influenced by undisclosed agendas and expressed disappointment at his team’s failure to qualify for the Champions Trophy 2025.
“In the last two Lanka Premier League (LPL) seasons, I batted and bowled well, but unfortunately, I wasn’t selected for the T20 World Cups, and I wasn’t given reasons for that. “If you take decisions that are driven by agendas, these kinds of things can happen – we haven’t even qualified for the Champions Trophy,” Matthews said in the post-match presentation ceremony.
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A look at Mathews’ distinguished T20I career
Mathews has been a key figure in the Sri Lanka Cricket Team for an extended period. His impactful presence in 79 T20I matches has seen him amass 1194 runs, punctuated by five half-centuries. Beyond his batting prowess, the Colombo-based has been a valuable asset to the national side, contributing significantly with the ball. His 38 wickets, coupled with an impressive economy rate of 6.99, underline the juggernaut’s multifaceted role as a seasoned all-rounder for his nation.
