Former Sri Lankan cricketer and skipper Sanath Jayasuriya on Tuesday expressed hope for the future of his country’s cricket and said it was “slowly but steadily” shaping up with the help of young cricketers.

In Siliguri to attend the finals of an inter-school cricket tournament organised by Delhi Public School at Dagapur, Jayasuriya also invited people from other countries to visit Sri Lanka.

“Being a brand ambassador of tourism from Sri Lanka, I want people to visit the country. It is a nice place as a destination for tourists and has cultural similarities with India,” he said.

Jayasuriya also appreciated the school management for their initiative to promote cricket by involving several schools in this region.

In the mid-90s, the formidable batter was known for his electric start with his batting partner Romesh Kaluwitharana in 50-overs ODI matches.

Their strategy was to keep the scoreboard racing in the first 15 overs. Now, he regrets that he retired when T20 had just started.

Jayasuriya addresses the media in Siliguri on Tuesday

“People often say that I and Kalu (Kaluwitharana) should have played more. I have played a few T20 matches. I enjoyed my IPL days with Mumbai Indians of its first three seasons. We would have always enjoyed playing T20 cricket,” Jayasuriya said while referring to his opening partner.

Kaluwitharana is on the selection panel of the Sri Lankan cricket board now.

Sri Lanka, which was once considered one of the most formidable teams in the cricketing world, no longer enjoys the status anymore.

Several of its prominent players have retired.

Jayasuriya, however, is hopeful that after going through a transition, the country’s cricket will move in the right direction.

He reminded people that the team won the World Cup in 1996 and finished second in 2011.

“Our teams have also played semi-finals on a couple of occasions. We are the Asia Cup champions and have a few good young talents like(Pathum) Nisanka and (Charith) Asalanka. They need some time. The team, I believe, will develop in due course,” he said.

Asked about the upcoming 50-overs World Cup which will be held in India later this year, Jayasuriya said it is too early to identify favourites.

“If our team makes good preparations, it can also do well. Also, playing in India helps them as the conditions are almost the same. India, on the other hand, will have to handle the pressures of playing on home turf,” he said.