After a string of injuries to four key players including Wanidu Hasranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka and Lahiru Kumara, Sri Lanka announced their squad for the 2023 Asia Cup starting on 30th August.
Dasun Shanaka will lead the Sri Lankan side. The batting looks strong with the likes of Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karaunate, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama. The pace bowling department comprises Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Binura Fernando and Pramod Madhushan. Dunith Wellage and Mahesh Theekshana consist of a spin bowling option along with Dhananjaya de Silva as a part-time option.
Sri Lanka would look to perform without their four key players as all the teams would be confident ahead of the World Cup 2023 starting from 5th October to be played in India. Sri Lanka might win against Afghanistan and Bangladesh this edition before qualifying for the Super 4 stage. They won the ICC World Cup qualifying tournament played in Zimbabwe this year.
Sri Lanka’s schedule in the Asia Cup 2023
Sri Lanka has been clubbed in the group of death along with Afghanistan and Bangladesh. They will start the tournament against Bangladesh at Palleke International Stadium, Kandy on 31st August before they travel to Lahore for the final group game against Afghanistan on 5th September 2023.
Dasun Shanaka would miss the services of Hasranga as he captained B Love Kandy to victory in the Lanka Premier League 2023. He finished as the leading wicket-taker in LPL 2023 and performed brilliantly with the bat coming down lower the order.
Sri Lanka could not qualify for the Super 4 stage during the 50-over tournament that was held in 2018. They lost both of their matches against Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
Asia Cup 2023: Sri Lankan squad
Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karaunate, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dasun Shanaka (C), Dunith Wellage, Mahesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Kasun Rajitha, Dushan Hemantha, Binura Fernando, Pramod Madushan.
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