With just days left for the highly anticipated Asia Cup 2025 tournament set to happen in the UAE from September 9 to 28, the eight teams are engaged in ironing out the chinks in their armour. Defending champions India are the hot favourites to win this edition as well. The Suryakumar Yadav-led team India are placed in Group A alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, hosts UAE and Oman. Group B consist of Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Hong Kong and Bangladesh.
Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra said Sri Lanka could very well be the team to make the finals alongside India. While earlier he predicted a group-stage exit for Bangladesh, Chopra believes the Charith Asalanka side are well-rounded and capable of fighting in any situation.
“They do have an all-condition kind of squad. Sri Lanka are a good team, and I will have to back them to qualify. I won’t be surprised if they play so well that they reach the final. It could be an India-Sri Lanka final. That is also a possibility, provided we and they play well,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
Chopra called Sri Lanka a “well-balanced” side. “The squad is looking well-balanced, where all the bases are covered, whether it’s Pathum Nissanka with Kusal Mendis, and Charith Asalanka in the middle. If we talk about all-rounders, you will see a plethora of them. They have got plenty of options in fast bowling. The spin department can be very useful in the UAE. So they are a very well-balanced team,” he said.
“This team’s specialty is that they may not be a team full of superstars, but they can become a superstar team. They have a fantastic mix of anchors and attacking batters. Pathum Nissanka can play both ways. They have got aggressive batters and Kamindu Mendis as well,” Chopra he added.
Sri Lanka Squad for Asia Cup 2025
Sri Lanka: Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana
