Can Sri Lanka repeat their 2022 Asia Cup success?

Sri Lanka Captain Charith Asalanka shares a light moment with Coach Sanath Jayasuriya

• Nine surviving members in the present team
• Take on Bangladesh today in crucial Group B opener

It was in the UAE three years ago that Sri Lanka last won the Asia Cup when it was played in the T20I format.

They have nine surviving members of that winning side which includes Dasun Shanaka who captained the side, Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana and Nuwanidu Fernando.

Former Captain Shanaka is of the view that with these players who have more experience behind them they could go a long way in the tournament.

“There are more than half the players who made the team that won the Asia Cup in 2022 in the present side and with more experience. That is the most important aspect,” said Shanaka. “I think we can get the best out of the players because they have been playing together for a long time. If we play together as a unit, I think we can go a long way in this tournament and make an impact.”

“The conditions and pitches in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are not alien to us. The players who have come here are those who have the experience of these conditions having played in the International League T20 (ILT20) and Abu Dhabi T10 league. Those who performed well in these two tournaments are the ones who have been picked for the Asia Cup.”

Wanindu Hasaranga

“Going into a tournament of this nature you need to have a positive mentality. Although we are in a tough group we are on top both mentally and talentwise. The most important thing is the execution. The return of Wanindu Hasaranga is a big plus point for us. He was the Player of the Series in 2022, and he is looking forward to repeating the same performance here as well.”

From the side that beat Zimbabwe in the third and final T20I to win the series 2-1, Sri Lanka are likely to make two changes with Hasaranga and Nuwan Thushara/Chamika Karunaratne replacing Dushan Hemantha and Binura Fernando. The batting line up will remain the same.

Sri Lanka have a score to settle with Bangladesh having not so long ago lost a T20I series 2-1 at home to them.   

Dasun Shanaka during a practice session

“The most important thing is to start the tournament on a winning note. It’s a tough tournament. All the teams have come here to give off their best,” said Sri Lanka Captain Charith Asalanka at yesterday’s media conference. “Likewise, we also have plans, we have to execute them properly. Instead of looking too far we are planning to take it match by match.”

“We all know that Bangladesh is playing well. Even though we lost the series to them we have played good cricket. We just want to follow our basics right and plan right and execute them well.”

“When you take the T20 and T10 formats, it is the first three batsmen who get the opportunity to face the most number of balls. If they are playing well, it means the opportunities for the rest of the batsmen are more. We are fortunate that we have two good openers like Pathum and Kusal in our side. They have been performing for us very well. Me included, the other middle order batsmen have a job to make full use of the runs they get for us at the top to capitalize and finish the job. That is the challenge the middle order batsmen have.”

Asalanka welcomed the return of Hasaranga to the side after he missed out the Bangladesh T20I series at home and the tour to Zimbabwe due to a hamstring injury.    

“It’s a good thing for our country to have someone like Wanindu. He is one of the superstars in the white ball format. As a captain it’s good to have Wanindu in the team.”