Samuel Badree Knows How to Handle Pressure in Big Tournaments: Kumar Sangakkara

 

Samuel Badree has perfected the art of bowling successfully in pressure situations, according to Kumar Sangakkara. The spinner returned with figures of 2/16 in West Indies World T20 final win over England. (Brathwaite Smashes Four Sixes in Last Over, Seals Second Title)

"It is one of the toughest things to bowl in the first six and the last four overs in T20 matches. Badree has been doing that in big tournaments, handling the pressure," Sangakkara told NDTV. (Darren Sammy Turns Emotional, Lashes Critics After West Indies Clinch World T20)

The West Indies defeated England in the World T20 final by four wickets, with two balls to spare, to clinch the trophy for the second time.

"He knows what he is doing all the time. The batsmen know that he does not turn the ball but they all seem to go hard at him. That is what excites Badree... batsmen coming at him. He has been a magnificent player for the West Indies right though his career. You get certain batsman or bowlers who rise to pressure," added Sangakkara.

In the end, the Caribbean team needed 19 off the last over. Carlos Brathwaite smashed sixes in the first four deliveries of Ben Stokes' last over to take the Windies home.

Former India player Mohammad Kaif also lauded Badree, saying his standout moment of the World T20 would be "Badree bowling in the Powerplay" overs.

Sangakkara, on the other hand, said his two favourite moments of the showpiece tournament were the four consecutive sixes by Brathwaite and Dwayne Bravo's "Champion" dance.