Despite being omitted from the limited-overs tour to Zimbabwe, star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga’s return headlined Sri Lanka’s squad for the upcoming Asia Cup to be hosted by India in the United Arab Emirates. Before the selectors named the 16-member squad that will be led by Charith Asalanka, there were doubts over Hasaranga’s participation in the tournament because of a hamstring injury he picked up in July.
However, the selectors have named him in the squad that includes fellow spinners Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, ambidextrous spinner Kamindu Mendis, making it a spin-heavy attack. Apart from the spinners, there are two seam bowling all-rounders in Dasun Shanaka and Chamika Karunaratne. For pace, Asalanka has the variety of Matheesha Pathirana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara and the 30-year-old left-arm seamer Binura Fernando.
Like most Asian teams, the batting unit lacks the muscle power, but in Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Kamil Mishara and captain Asalanka has the sort of batsmen who their head coach Sanath Jayasuriya can count on should the conditions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi assist spinners.
The last time the tournament was held in a T20 format was incidentally in the UAE, prior to the 2021 T20 World Cup. That year, Sri Lanka ended-up having a memorable tournament as they went against all odds to defeat Pakistan in the final. The current edition too will be played in September, which is considered peak summer in the UAE.
The eight-team Asia Cup begins in Abu Dhabi on September 9 with Afghanistan taking on Hong Kong in the opener. Sri Lanka will be the last team to take the field on September 13, when they come face-to-face against Bangladesh against whom they have enjoyed some huge rivalry in recent years. The eight teams are split into two groups with Sri Lanka placed in Group B that includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Hong Kong. Top two teams from each group makes it to the next stage called Super 4, where they will play three matches. The top two from Super 4 will head to the final to be played in Dubai on September 28.
Sri Lanka squad: 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.
