What’s next for Sri Lanka?

The 2025 Asia Cup for Sri Lanka has been all about the extraordinary batting of Pathum Nissanka

• Asia Cup an eye-opener to frailties existing in the team

The recently concluded 17th Asia Cup exposed several frailties in the Sri Lanka T20I cricket team’s line-up which, if not properly addressed, could see them faltering in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup as well.

That could be quite detrimental not only to the players but more so to the coaching staff whose every move is under scrutiny by the detractors.

Sri Lanka has shown that they are not short of talent or inspiration to perform at their best against any opposition like they did against eventual Asia Cup champions India in their final Super Fours game which ended in a tie and subsequently won by India in the super-over.

The 2025 Asia Cup for Sri Lanka has been all about the extraordinary batting of Pathum Nissanka who is gradually scaling the heights that our past legends have reached. Currently, he is in a different plane compared to the rest of his team mates when it comes to batting.

The biggest problem with the team leaving aside composition and team selections is lack of consistency in their performances. This team performs in a blow hot blow cold manner that leaves everyone exasperated doubting their ability to perform under pressure. One day they are brilliant, the next rather ordinary. Champion teams don’t perform in that manner. India is a great example of how champion teams perform. They won each and every match of the Asia Cup to lift the title for the ninth time in the tournament’s history.

When Sri Lanka won the 1996 Cricket World Cup, they did the same, winning every game they played although two of the group games were walk-overs due to Australia and West Indies concern over security.

What has been quite noticeable with the present team is that when Pathum Nissanka or Kusal Mendis delivers the team always wins. This should not be the case, for the middle order too has to contribute. The issue here is that the momentum given by the two openers in the power play is not continued by the middle order batters. This is an area that needs to be rectified quickly for Sri Lanka is running short of time as they keep on experimenting with their middle order. At least by now they should have a settled middle order. You cannot go to a world event without having a stable batting line-up.

The lack of a pinch-hitter at the crucial no. 6 position is also hurting Sri Lanka a lot. The other aspect is that Sri Lanka must decide once and for all whether they are comfortable going with a 7-4 combination or a 6-5 combination for their matches. A 7-4 combination tried out during the Asia Cup left them short of a fifth bowler, resulting in part-time bowlers trying to do the job and leaking extra runs. A 6-5 combination (where the fifth bowling option should be an all-rounder) is what should be giving the captain the opportunity of getting the opposition out or restricting them. This would mean more responsibility on the six batsmen to deliver. If the top six cannot put enough runs on the board they are not worthy of their place in the team.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has sacrificed Test matches to include more white ball games this year to prepare the team for the T20 World Cup. Thus, it is imperative that the opportunity is made use of fully. The repercussions that could follow if they fail to fulfil the requirements of the nation, can have far reaching consequences.