Angelo Mathews, a Sri Lankan all-rounder, has criticised the previous selection panel’s agenda-driven approach.
The experienced cricketer recalled being overlooked for the national squad despite strong performances in the Lanka Premier League.
Mathews was instrumental in Sri Lanka’s close seven-wicket victory against Zimbabwe in the opening T20I on Sunday in Colombo.
The 36-year-old smashed 46 off 38 deliveries to help the hosts hunt down 144 in precisely 20 overs in his first T20I since March 2021.
After winning Player of the Match, the seam-bowling all-rounder blasted the previous selection panel for making poor picks for the squad.
Mathews believes he can play for a bit longer based on his performance.
I batted and bowled effectively in the last two Lanka Premier League seasons, but I wasn’t picked for the T20 World Cups, and I wasn’t given any explanations for why.
These kinds of things may happen if you make judgments based on agendas – we haven’t even qualified for the Champions Trophy, he remarked.
But one thing I think is that if you train and play with zeal, you can create an atmosphere in which you may excel.
Over the previous few years, I have maintained my efforts. I think I can play for a little while longer, Matthews added.
Matthews has amassed 1194 runs in 79 T20Is, but his strike rate of 117.86 is unimpressive.
The former captain has also taken 38 scalps and has a 6.99 economy rate.
Read Also :- Nearly vomited, he has the skill – As Steve Smith ‘opens’ a new chapter in his Test career, experts are split
The communication between me and the new selectors is quite clear – Mathews, Angelo
Mathews went on to say that the current selection panel has informed him that he is in their T20 World Cup plans and would bowl frequently to emphasise his significance.
The communication between me and the new pickers is quite obvious. They inquired about my future intentions and then informed me about their own.
We had a great talk. They stated I’m in their plans for the T20 World Cup and that they’d like me to bowl a few overs.
‘Absolutely – if I can support the team in any way,’ I said. If I can bowl a few overs, it improves the team balance, and the captain may decide whether to play an additional batsman or a bowler, he explained.
Also Read: Axar Patel reaches 200 T20 wickets, matching Ravindra Jadeja’s accomplishment