Asia Cup 2023: Sri Lanka Squad For Asia Cup Announced; Wanindu Hasaranga Ruled Out

On Tuesday, August 29, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced a 15-man squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023, which is set to be played in the One Day International (ODI) format.

The continental tournament will be played from Wednesday, August 30, to Sunday, September 17. A total of six teams will feature in the marquee tournament, which consists of 13 matches. India, Pakistan, and Nepal form Group A while Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan are placed in Group B.

The tournament is set to be played in a hybrid model and it will be co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Asia Cup 2023 will become the first-ever Asia Cup competition to be co-hosted by multiple countries

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka are the defending champions of the Asia Cup, having won the previous edition of the tournament in UAE after defeating the Babar Azam-led Pakistan in the final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Sri Lanka Announce Squad For Asia 2023

The Sri Lanka squad in the Asia Cup will be led by their regular captain Dasun Shanaka. However, they have been handed injury blows ahead of the marquee tournament as several key players have been ruled out.

Dilshan Madushanka, Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera, and Wanindu Hasaranga have been ruled out of Asia Cup. Leg-spinner Hasaranga’s absence is the biggest blow for Sri Lanka as he was in red-hot form in the recently concluded Lanka Premier League.

The leg-spinner has not yet recovered from a grade two strain in the thigh and will miss the Asia Cup. Madushanka had torn an oblique muscle, Chameera had suffered a pectoral injury and Kumara had suffered a side strain, as a result, they have not been included in the squad.

In the absence of key players other members of the squad will have to step up and perform in a bid to retain the title of Asian champions. Sri Lanka will begin their campaign against the Bangladesh National Cricket Team on August 31 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

Sri Lanka squad for Asia Cup 2023

Dasun Shanaka (C), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (VC), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Matheesha Pathirana, Kasun Rajitha ,Dushan Hemantha, Binura Fernando, Pramod Madushan

Sri Lanka unveils its powerhouse squad for the Asia Cup 2023! ??? #AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/duAXDfQyFQ

— Sri Lanka Cricket ?? (@OfficialSLC) August 29, 2023