Cricket World T20: Sri Lanka aim to make history

Published on 18/09/2012 01:28

SRI Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene isn’t worried about the fact that the host nation has never won cricket’s World Twenty20 tournament, saying his team has every chance of pulling off the feat.

“There’s always a first time,” Jaywardene told reporters as Sri Lanka prepared to take on Zimbabwe in the opening match in Hambantota today. “No one has done it, so maybe it’s our time to turn it around and make it first.”

South Africa is the other team in Sri Lanka’s Group C, with the top two advancing to the Super Eight. Because of the seedings of the tournament, Sri Lanka are assured of avoiding their two key Asian rivals – India and Pakistan – until the semi-finals.

India won the inaugural tournament in 2007 in South Africa, followed by Pakistan winning in England in 2009. England are the defending champions after defeating Australia in the final in the Caribbean in 2010. Group A comprises two previous winners India and England along with Afghanistan. Australia, West Indies and Ireland form Group B while Pakistan are placed with New Zealand and Bangladesh in the 12-team competition.