Dilshan Munaweera

A maverick opening batsman, Dilshan Munaweera has adopted the slam-bang method. The hard hitting young turk was the power steering of Uva Next's title winning SLPL campaign in 2012, walloping 22 boundaries and 12 sixes in 7 outings. His 23-ball-44 threw Angelo Mathews' heroics into the shade in a rain-affected final. He has also represented Duronto Rajshahi in the Bangladesh Premier League.

Impressed with his efforts, the selectors called up Munaweera for the T20 Cup at home in 2012. However, he failed to deliver at the biggest stage, managing a paltry 30 runs in 2 encounters at a strike rate less than 100. He played 2 more T20Is later on with his attempted boom going bust again. Unless Munaweera blends brawn with brain, he will prove to be an easy nut to crack in international cricket.

With a big bag of fireworks strapped to his back, he traveled round the world to participate in T20 Leagues after failing to break into the national side. Munaweera's fearless approach at the top of the order navigated Barbados Tridents to their maiden CPL title in 2014.

His respect as a T20 specialist grew swiftly and continued to feature regularly in the Bangladesh Premier League too. 2017 was the beginning of a new lease of life for the dashing batsman. Steady performances in domestic cricket for his club prompted the Sri Lankan selectors to include him for the lone T20I against India in October. Munaweera struck a blazing 53 off in 29 balls in his comeback game. He retained his place in the squad for the series against Pakistan.

Currently playing for Chittagong Vikings in BPL 2017, Munaweera has enrolled himself in the T10 league which is to be held in Sharjah in December. Interestingly, his father, Sudath Munaweera, has played as a right arm pacer for the Colts Cricket Club.

By Sriram AS