The greatest day of Sri Lankan Cricket | 25 year anniversary

damithudaya (75)modModeratorin Cric-World 🏏 • 4 years ago

"This is a little fairy tale," he crows. The thing I like about these guys is, not only do they win, they win in great style. They play the sort of cricket people want to watch. They've come such a long way in such a short period of time." - Tony Greig

17 March 1996 at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium in Pakistan

The day which conquers the Cricketing world! The day that rises to the top of the ladder through a hell of a journey. The day that the whole world starts to talk about this small island, Sri Lanka.

Unarguably the greatest day of Sri Lankan Cricket history! Then, now and forever!!!

It's been 25 years since the 1996 World cup win!!!! Heartiest love for you legends!

At the start of the tournament, there was less expectation of the Sri Lankan team to come up this way. No offence! Who thinks that a bunch of part-time workers with less experiences and numbers, fewer facilities with a reasonably poor Cricket board would do the miracle? But here we are, celebrating the silver jubilee of that miracle.

The team spirit, commitment, confidence along with pure talent pull the strings throughout the tournament.

It was the 6th world cup edition held from February 14, 1996, to March 17 in Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan Squad

Arjuna Ranatunga (Captain), Aravinda de Silva (Vice-Captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Roshan Mahanama, Asanka Gurusinghe, Marvan Atapattu, Hashan Tilakaratne, Upul Chandana, Kumara Dharmasena, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ravindra Pushpakumara, Chaminda Vaas, Pramodya Wickramasinghe

After winning the semi-finals against India, the final was with the mighty Australian team, lead by Mark Taylor. It was their 3rd world cup final.

Arjuna won the toss and choose to bowl. With a promising effort by the bowlers, Australia was 241/7 after the fifty overs. But the nervous continued with Sanath and Kalu got out before 25 runs.

But yet again a masterclass from Aravinda de Silva, the greatest ever player of Sri Lankan cricket. Yeah, Sanga, Mahela, Sanath have the numbers. But they couldn't reach his level.

Another match-winning knock from the legend of 107 runs. The greatest knock ever of Sri Lankan cricket!! And half centuries of Gurusinghe and Arjuna helped to reach the target within 47 overs.

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There are a few crucial giants behind this victory. Especially captain Arjuna. He has done a great job in building the team spirit, discipline and handling the pressure. Even most of the players of team from the village stayed at his house. His role as a leader is simply awesome! I just say that!

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And also the effort of Aravinda de Silva. As I said, the best batsman of Sri Lanka, and I think in the entire 1996 world cup. His crucial knocks especially in Semi and final were outstanding.

Aravind De Silva

And also, Jayasuriya and Kaluwitharana! They changed the game totally. They discovered the t20 format 10 years ago! Still, we love to see the variety of shots of Sanath. He received the man of the series award which was highly deserved.

Jayasuriya and Kaluwitharana