Kumar Sangakkara refuses to believe Sri Lanka will be the only side under pressure before a packed home crowd in their quarter-final on Saturday, saying England will also feel the intensity. The 1996 winners go into the last of four quarter-finals with huge expectations, but Sangakkara was confident his players were capable of handling the situation.
"What you lose is a semi-final berth, so I don't think any side is going to want to lose that. So wherever you play that incentive is going to be there and all sides feel that pressure equally," said Sangakkara. "I think it will be there (pressure), but that kind of thinking goes out of the window when you cross the boundary rope. I am sure players will feel the crowd, they'll lift themselves and do well."
Sri Lanka, runners-up to Australia in the 2007 World Cup held in the West Indies, lost to Pakistan and had their game against Australia washed out on their way to the last eight stages. And Sangakkara felt his players were ready to give their best against England who have endured a roller-coaster tournament, losing to Ireland and Bangladesh but beating South Africa and the West Indies.
They also tied their first match against India. "It's a do-or-die so my guys are pretty much focussed, very well tuned into what's happening and they'll look to do everything they can to win," said Sangakkara. "I think England are one of the best sides in this tournament," said Sangakkara.
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