by Rex Clementine in Abu Dhabi
Sri Lanka kick off their Asia Cup campaign on Saturday [13] in Abu Dhabi, locking horns with Bangladesh. Once Asian and World champions, the islanders have blown hot and cold in recent months in the shortest format. But with a more balanced line-up now stitched together, they are aiming to make a statement in the eight-nation showpiece.
The think tank is leaning towards three seamers, banking on the Sheikh Zayed Stadium’s reputation for offering bounce and carry. Nuwan Thushara is expected to share the new ball with Dushmantha Chameera while Matheesha Pathirana is tipped to join the pace battery. Chamika Karunaratne’s name too was in the hat, with selectors weighing up his all-round value.
Sri Lanka’s openers have been firing on all cylinders in white-ball cricket over the past two years. Skipper Charith Asalanka acknowledged that Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka remain his kingpins.
“They’ve been sensational for us and we’ve leaned heavily on them,” Asalanka said on the eve of training. “We brought in Kamil Mishara at number three in the last series and it clicked. We’ll stick with that formula.”
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The captain also hailed the return of his old schoolmate Wanindu Hasaranga, who spent eight weeks sidelined with a hamstring strain. Hasaranga, ranked No. 6 among T20 bowlers and inside the top ten all-rounders by the ICC, adds both teeth to the attack and firepower to the lower order — a priceless double act.
Fielding, however, remains Sri Lanka’s Achilles heel. Recent lapses have cost them dearly and all eyes will be on whether they can tighten up that discipline.
The former champions will next travel to Dubai to face Hong Kong, before returning to Abu Dhabi for their final group fixture. Only two teams from the pool will march into the second round.
Sri Lanka can draw inspiration from Abu Dhabi’s history books. In 2017, defending a meager 138 against Pakistan, Rangana Herath spun a web with six wickets to dismiss the hosts for 114 in a heist for the ages. Dinesh Chandimal’s gritty 155 not out in that series also paved the way for a 2-0 triumph, snapping Pakistan’s decade-long unbeaten run in their adopted desert fortress
