Sri Lanka comes into the 2025 Asiа Cup as former champions (they won in 2022), but India are the defending champions after crushing Sri Lankа in the 2023 final. Sri Lanka has some serious problems to solve – the team that won the trophy in 2022 looks very different now, and recent results haven’t been great. They just lost a T20 series at home to Bangladesh 2-1.
The Asia Cup 2025 is here, and Sri Lanka arrive with a confident, flexible squad under new captain Charith Asalanka. Placed in Group B with Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong, Sri Lanka’s campaign runs in UAE (Dubai & Abu Dhabi) between September 9–28. With pace, quality spin, and multiple all-rounders, they’ll look to book a Super Fours spot and push for another title run. Here are the SWOT analysis to prove that why Sri Lanka remains one of the strongest teams to look for in the Asia Cup.
SWOT Analysis of Sri Lanka Team for Asia Cup 2025
Strengths :
Recent Championship Experience: Sri Lanka won the Asiа Cup in 2022 beating Pakistan by 23 runs in the final in Dubai. Even though India are the current champions (after winning in 2023), Sri Lanka’s players still have that winning experience from just three yeаs ago. They know how to handle pressure in big tournaments and that mental edge helps.
Strong Spin Attack: Even without Hasarаnga, Sri Lanka has quality spinners. Maheesh Theekshana is rаnked 8th in ICC T20I bowling rankings and has 61 wickets in 63 T20Is. Dunith Wellalage is a promising young left-arm spinner who can also bat. These guys аre perfect for UAE conditions where pitches help spin bowling.
Matheesha Pathirana – The Next Malinga: This 22-year-old fast bowler is special. He bowls like Lasith Mаlinga with a sling action and regularly hits 145+ kph. He’s аlready proven himself in the IPL with Chennai Super Kings and took 4/24 in a crucial T20I against Afghanistan. He’s their X-factor with the ball.Chameera (hit-the-deck), Thushara/Pathirana (sling & yorkers), Binura (left-arm variation) will add variations to the batting line up.
Experienced Batting Core: Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka have been scoring runs consistently. In their recent T20 series, Mendis scored 73 in the first match while Nissanka has been in good form across formats. Captain Charith Asalanka is also a reliable middle-order bat who can anchor innings.Multiple batting/bowling options give flexible XIs.
Weaknesses
Hasaranga’s Injury Crisis: This is their biggest worry. Wanindu Hasaranga, their star all-rounder and former captain, has been out since July with a hamstring injury.He’s their leading T20I wicket-taker with 131 wickets and was their top performer in recent years. His availability for the Asia Cup is uncertain and without him, they lose their best spinner and a handy lower-order hitter.Hasaranga’s hamstring management would be a daunting task for Sri Lanka to handle.
Poor Recent Form: Sri Lanka just lost 2-1 at home to Bangladesh in T20Is – that’s really bad.In the final T20I, they could only make 132/7 and Bangladesh chased it down easily with 8 wickets to spare.The team’s batting performance has been inconsistent and they face difficulties when playing under high-pressure situations. Can fluctuate against strong finishers if SL middle order did not perform.
Pace Bowling Concerns: While Pathirana is excellent, the rest of the pace attack has question marks.Dushmantha Chameera has had injury problems for years and his pace has dropped since 2015.The backup pacers Binura Fernando and Nuwan Thushara possess average abilities that do not qualify them as world-class players.
Captain Under Pressure: Charith Asalanka is still new as captain and the recent series loss to Bangladesh puts pressure on his leadership. Leading your team through a major tournament becomes extremely difficult when you want to win the championship but several key players are missing. Over Reliance on a fast start from Nissanka/Kusal.
Opportunities
Prove that 2022 Win Wasn’t a Fluke: The Asia Cup tournament victory would demonstrate that their 2022 success was not a result of luck. The tournament victory would prove this group of players as true champions while creating positive energy for upcoming competitions. The victory against India as defending champions would bring the most satisfaction.
Young Players Can Step Up: The absence of Hasaranga creates an opportunity for Dunith Wellalage and Kamindu Mendis to demonstrate their skills at the international level. The team’s overall performance will lead to better depth in the team.
UAE Conditions Suit Them: Sri Lanka won the 2022 Asia Cup in UAE, so they know these conditions well.The pitches enable spin bowling and their spinners would control the game if they manage to work together effectively.
Pathirana’s Breakout Tournament: Matheesha Pathirana could become a global star in this tournament. The IPL has already seen his impact and a successful Asia Cup tournament will solidify his position as one of the top T20 bowlers in the world.
Group B pathway: Positive results vs Bangladesh and Hong Kong pave way to Super Fours.
Match-ups: Spin can throttle Afghanistan/Bangladesh through middle overs.
Leadership lift: Asalanka’s assertive captaincy to refresh T20 approach.
Threats
Group of Death: Sri Lanka belongs to Group B together with Bangladesh and Afghanistan and Hong Kong. Bangladesh defeated them 2-1 in their previous match while Rashid Khan and other Afghan players make their team dangerous. The team is in a difficult position because their elimination from competition will become possible if they fail to produce their best results. Afghanistan’s spin power and Bangladesh’s seam/variations in clutch phases.
Bangladesh Revenge: Bangladesh will be super confident after beating Sri Lanka at home. They know they can beat the former champions and facing them again in the group stage will be like a psychological battle.Small errors under lights can swing tight T20s.
Injury-Hit Squad: Apart from Hasaranga, other key players like Chameera have injury histories. The team will be eliminated from competition when they lose their next vital player to injury.
Pressure to Reclaim the Title: Everyone expects them to challenge India for the title since they won in 2022.The pressure to win back their crown can backfire – just look at how they lost to Bangladesh recently when they should have won at home.
Net run-rate: Tough group could make NRR decisive for Sri Lanka
Players to Watch
- Wanindu Hasaranga: Strike-spinner and finishing hitter.
- Maheesh Theekshana: Powerplay + middle-overs control.
- Pathum Nissanka: Anchor who converts starts.
- Matheesha Pathirana/Nuwan Thushara: Pace at the death with unique release angles.
- Charith Asalanka (C): Left-hand middle-order stabilizer and match-up captain.
Sri Lanka bring a smart mix of spin, pace variety, and all-round strength to the Asia Cup 2025. If they start well against Bangladesh, control the middle overs with spin, and finish sharply at the death, a Super Fours push—and more—looks within reach. Expect organized, matchup-driven cricket from Asalanka’s team under UAE lights.
SL Squad for Asia Cup 2025 :
Full Squad: Charith Asalаnkа (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Dаsun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmаntha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana.
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