Asia Cup 2025- Sri Lanka squad announced
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The Sri Lankan side has announced its squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. Wanindu Hasaranga makes his return to the side for the continental championship, marking the only change in the team announced for the Zimbabwe tour.
Sri Lanka is on tour in Zimbabwe, where they will feature in a long white-ball series, comprising 2 One-day Internationals to be followed by 3 T20 Internationals. The series, which begins with the ODIs, will feature Sri Lanka's last three preparatory games for the Asia Cup 2025.
The series ends on the 7th of September, and the majority of the team would have to travel to the UAE, while expert spinner Wanindu Hasaranga will join them in the UAE.
Sri Lanka names 16-member Squad for Asia Cup 2025
Sri Lanka has named their squad for the upcoming continental championship, as they have featured every player from the Lankan squad for the Zimbabwe tour, leaving out the likes of two players, Dushan Hemantha and Vishen Halambage.
Lankans have also included the likes of spinners Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage in the Asia Cup squad, and all are expected to feature in the T20 tournament, since the UAE conditions offer great help to spinners.
The Lankan attack has a wide range of batters, the explosive set, which comprises Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, and Kamindu Mendis, and has also brought back their former skipper, Dasun Shanaka, to add to the list of power hitters alongside skipper Charith Asalanka.
Sri Lanka Squad: Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Dasun Shanaka, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, and Matheesha Pathirana
Wanindu Hasaranga returns for the Continental Championship
Wanindu Hasaranga, whose participation in the Asia Cup was posed under severe doubt after being left out of the squad for the Zimbabwe T20 tour, a series that precedes the Asia Cup 2025.
Hasaranga had hurt his hamstring during a T20I series back in the Bangladesh series in July, and hence was a notable absence in the squad for the Zimbabwe tour. However, Hasaranga's ending all the debate and speculations surrounding him has made his comeback for the Asia Cup.
Hasaranga is expected to be a lead spinner in the side as well as bring some batting prowess down the order.
Can the Lankans defend their title from 2022 in front of World Champions India?
Sri Lanka won the 2022 edition of the ACC Men's Asia Cup T20, as that was the last time the Asia Cup was played in the shortest format of the game. On the other hand, they were also the finalist in the Asia Cup 2023, where they faced a humiliating defeat against India.
The Lankans were led by Dasun Shanaka, the skipper, back in 2022, as they were named one of the favourites in the tournament. They have been picked as the closest opponents to the dominant Indian side.
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