The triumph in 1996 is Sri Lanka’s greatest achievement in sports. No one had given it a chance to win the title, but Arjuna Ranatunga’s side took the world by storm. Explosive batting by Sanath Jayasuriya was complemented by the reliable Aravinda de Silva, who posted an unbeaten hundred in the final against Australia in Lahore. His half-century in the semifinal against India in Calcutta was equally classy.
Sri Lanka beat India twice in India in that tournament before sealing Australia’s fate in the final with a seven-wicket win. It had come a long way since Chappell’s side exposed it to harsher realities two decades ago. Sri Lanka’s outstanding fielding and all-round abilities of the top-order batsmen stood it in good stead in 1996, although its attack wasn’t the most formidable one in the competition.
Few years ago Arjuna Ranatunga was asked on how his 1996 side would fare in T20I Cricket ?
WATCH his reply 👇🏏🇱🇰