The Sri Lankan cricket team is placed in a precarious Group B comprising Afghanistan & Bangladesh and the top 2 teams would advance to the Super 4 stage. Skipper Dasun Shanaka might consider promoting himself up the order. Dasun Shanka can pace the innings and could provide stability to the team in the middle overs phase, especially against the spinners.
The official squad is yet to be announced by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC)
Strengths
Sri Lanka’s main prowess is that they bat deep and can chase any mammoth target on a given day. The swashbuckling left handed batter Charith Asalanka can be a force to reckon with as his attacking brand of cricket can take the opponent by surprise. Sri Lanka would back themselves to perform exceedingly well as the championship is being played at their back yard and at the same time some matches are set to be played in Pakistan.
Weaknesses
Sri Lanka’s main weakness is that they concede way too many runs at the back end of the innings which is worrisome for the island nation. Skipper Dasun Shanaka should stick to a particular game plan rather than using multiple bowlers which can spoil all the hard work of the frontline bowlers. Dasun Shanaka’s side recently qualified for ODI WC 2023 but they had to toil a lot in the WC 2022 Qualifiers staged in Zimbabwe in June 2022.
X factor
Wanindu Hasaranga, the shrewd spinner’s overs can be quite critical in the contest. The all-rounder can also play a handy knock and can be the surprise package for the opponent. Wanindu Hasaranga & Maheesh Theekshana are often termed as the spinners with a golden arm and those 20 overs are match-defining. Dasun Shanaka might consider using Dhananjay de Silva as the 3rd bowler who also bowls wicket to wicket and has foxy variations. It won’t be wrong to say that Sri Lanka’s arsenal is spin and could spurn a web across the batters.
Chances
Sri Lanka looks unlikely to qualify for the Super 4 stage as the side can easily get skittled by Bangladesh & Afghanistan. Sri Lanka’s first match is against Bangladesh on 31st August at Pallekele, Sri Lanka. The Dasun Shanaka-led side may have won the Asia Cup 2022 but we should not forget that the championship was being played in T20I format. Sri Lanka in the 2018 Asia Cup had an infamous exit from the group stage and ever since nothing significant has changed.
Also Read: Asia Cup 2023: Babar Azam Led Side A Team To Beat