Asia Cup 2023: Sri Lanka's Predicted Squad For The Tournament

Asia Cup 2023: Sri Lanka’s Predicted Squad For The Tournament.??

Sri Lanka will aim to defend their title in Asia Cup 2023. Sri Lanka won the Asia Cup trophy last year after defeating Pakistan in the final. In Asia Cup 2023, Sri Lanka is part of Group B with Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Sri Lanka will play their first match of Asia Cup 2023 against Bangladesh on August 31.

Dasun Shanaka is expected to lead Sri Lanka in the tournament. They are also one of the hosts and will enjoy home advantage in many games. Like the last edition, Sri Lanka will aim for another spectacular performance in the tournament. Here we take a glance at Sri Lanka’s predicted squad for Asia Cup 2023.

Asia Cup 2023: Sri Lanka’s Predicted Squad For The Tournament

Openers- Pathum Nissanka & Dimuth Karunaratne

For the openers, Sri Lanka might go ahead with Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne. Right-hander Nissanka is the leading run-getter for the team in 2023, with 687 runs in 14 ODI games.

Left-handed Karunaratne follows him with 481 runs in 10 games averaging 60+. While Nissnaka has slammed 2 tons and 5 fifties this year, Karunarante has shattered 1 century and 5 half-centuries.

Middle-Order Batters- Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Angelo Matthews

In the middle order, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Angelo Matthews might be grabbed into the squad for Asia Cup 2023. Asalanka has shown decent form in ODIs this year, hitting 341 runs in 12 games with 2 fifties.

Dhananjaya de Silva has featured in 13 ODIs in 2023 and slammed 307 runs average of 38+. He has also slammed 2 half-centuries. Angelo Mathews has struggled to score runs this year, hitting just 30 runs in 3 ODIs. However, he is an experienced player for the team with over 200 ODI games in his kitty. Hence, he can also be picked for the Sri Lanka squad.

Wicketkeepers- Kusal Mendis & Sadeera Samarawickrama

For the wicketkeepers, Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama are two players that Sri Lanka can go ahead with. Right-handed batsman Mendis has scored 329 runs in 15 games with 2 fifties this year. Samarawickrama accounts for 262 runs in 7 innings this year with 2 half-centuries.

All-Rounders- Dasun Shanaka (C) & Chamika Karunaratne

Dasun Shanaka is the skipper of Sri Lanka in ODIs and will lead the team in Asia Cup 2023. He will also be a crucial all-rounder for the team. Since the start of 2023, Shanaka has scored 204 runs in 16 ODIs and also hunted 9 wickets.

Chamika Karunaratne will be another key all-rounder for Sri Lanka. In 5 ODIs this year, he has hunted 8 scalps and scored 67 runs with the bat.

Spinners- Maheesh Theekshana & Wanindu Hasaranga

For the spinners, Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga will be the two best options for Sri Lanka in Asia Cup 2023. Both of them are also the top wicket-takers for the team in ODIs this year. In 14 ODIs, leg-spinner Hasaranga has dismissed 28 wickets. Off-spinner Theekshana accounts for 23 scalps in 10 ODIs.

Pacers-Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka

For pacers, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, Dushmantha Chammera, and Dilshan Madushanka are the four players that Sri Lanka can go ahead with in Asia Cup 2023.

Right-arm pacer Lahiru Kumara and Kasun Rajitha have showcased brilliant form this year, clinching 18 and 14 wickets respectively in 11 games. Dushmantha Chameera has only played 2 games and hunted 6 wickets. Dilshan Madushanka has hunted 10 wickets in 6 games.