Dope rumours an attempt to distract my game: Dilshan

Dilshan reacted to rumours with a brutal 144 runs off 131 balls, which included 16 boundaries and a six, against Zimbabwe during their World Cup group A match here yesterday. To cap off a memorable day, he then took four wickets for four runs to see Sri Lanka through as the first side to qualify for the quarter-finals of the tournament.

"On Wednesday, there were reports that I had failed a dope test. It is not the first time these kind of allegations have surfaced - they have done so after every recent tournament I have played in.

"I feel like there is an attempt to distract my game but I am not worried. I try to ignore the reports and concentrate on my game instead," Dilshan said responding to accusations that he had failed a random drug test carried out by the ICC on March 5.

"What actually happened is the International Cricket Council randomly selected Ajantha Mendis and Chamara Silva to give blood samples after our game against Australia. They did not even take my blood sample so I simply don't know where these reports have
come from," Dilshan told the BBC.

Dilshan insisted that he was not responding to his critics when he unleashed his fury against the hapless Zimbabwe.

Dilshan and Upul Tharanga starred in a record 282-run opening stand to set up Sri Lanka's 139-run victory over the African nation.

"I was not trying to reply my critics, or to those reports, in Thursday's performance against Zimbabwe. I was not under any pressure, nor was I angry, but it is not pleasant when attempts are being made to distract you, especially when you are playing in a World Cup."

He said the match-winning performance was lot more special to him as it came during the World Cup.

"Full credit to Upul Tharanga; it was his support and determination that kept me going as we put on a record 282 for the first wicket. I am really happy that together we got two World Cup records," he said.