The Sri Lankan cricket team’s flamboyant all-rounder & skipper Dasun Shanaka would be roaring to make a mark. We witnessed how the island nation was bundled out for 50 runs in the Asia Cup 2023 final which raised a lot of eyebrows and about the team’s dynamics as well. Dasun Shanaka should take responsibility and promote himself up the order and guide the batters in tough scenarios.
Sri Lanka squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (vc), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka.
Strengths
Sri Lanka’s peculiarity is that they have a long batting line up and a team full of match winners. The inclusion of Kusal Perera into the side makes the unit a powerful one as Kusal Perera is someone who has similar traits to the legendary batter Sanath Jayasuriya. The island nation in the past couple of years have been quite fearless in their approach.
Weakness
The pace unit of Sri Lanka looks a bit inexperienced. Matheesha Pathirana who is tipped to be the next Lasith Malinga, Pathirana will have to be smart with his line & length as he could be targeted by the batters. Sri Lanka are way too much reliant on their spinners for taking wickets which is not a goof sign. There is uncertainty regarding the participation of Wanindu Hasaranga for the marquee ODI WC 2023.
X factor
The swashbuckling left handed batter Charith Asalanka has got some sheer brute power. Asalanka can also roll his arm for the team as the cricketer is a complete package which every team dreams off. We should not forget that how Charith Asalanka won the match for Sri Lanka against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 stage.
Verdict
It looks unlikely that the island nation would qualify for Semi Finals as there is lack of camaraderie amongst the players as the side is too much dependent on Kusal Mendis to score runs. It will require a helluva of effort from Dasun Shanaka’s side to reach semi finals as beating the likes of Australia, England, New Zealand & India won’t be an easy task by any means.
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