Sri Lanka have always been one of those sides which no other team has enjoyed playing against in the Asia Cup history so far. The team has majorly managed to deliver top-notch performances during the tournament and win matches against all the odds.
With 5 titles to its name, Sri Lanka is the second most successful team in the tournament’s history only behind India. The team has displayed some tremendously fearless approaches in the shortest format of the game recently and possesses some world-class players who can definitely make things happen for their side.
The team will be eager to be at their best during the Asia Cup 2022. It’s time for us to discuss the team’s possible Playing XI for the Asia Cup 2022.
1. Pathum Nissanka
Sri Lanka’s young opening batsman, Pathum Nissanka made his international debut only last year. The youngster has already made his presence felt in big games for his side in his short international career so far.
He already has played some memorable innings for his side so far, especially in white ball cricket. The youngster will be looking to make a mark in the upcoming Asia cup with some good performances in the upcoming Asia Cup.
2. Danushkha Gunathilaka
Left-hand batsman Danushkha Gunathilaka will expectedly be partnering with an inexperienced Nissanka in the upcoming Asia Cup. The hard-hitting opener has been blowing hot and cold with the bat for his side scoring runs on a regular basis and providing his team with sublime starts more often.
Gunathilaka will be an important player for his side at the top of the order. He has scored 678 runs in 39 matches so far in his T20I career.
3. Charith Asalanka
Charith Asalanka is another young batsman who is supposedly going to feature in Sri Lanka’s top order. The lef-handed batsman is known for his positive and attacking approach while Asalanka has taken up the role of a no.3 batsman right since he made his international debut last year.
He played a major role in Sri Lanka’s historic ODI series win over Australia recently. The youngster will have a very important role to play in Sri Lanka’s batting order in the Asia Cup.
4. Kusal Mendis
Kusal Mendis without a doubt is one of the most elegant and dependable batsmen in Sri Lanka’s lineup. The 27-year-old batsman has shown glimpses of his incredibly good technique and quality with the bat in various conditions in the past.
He has been exceptionally good in terms of resisting the opposition bowlers’ tough spells. His task will be to continue his good form in the shortest format of the game as his team shall have heavily relied upon him in the Asia Cup.
5. Bhanuka Rajaspaksha
Left-handed explosive batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksha is another crucial part of Sri Lanka’s batting lineup. He with his big-hitting abilities can demolish any opposition bowling lineup in T20Is for sure. Owing to his fine performances for the national team the left-hander got picked by IPL franchise Punjab Kings in IPL 2022.
Though the batsman has been in poor form recently, the onus will be on him to provide stability to the Sri lanka innings and finish off the game with big hits towards the later half of the innings as well.
6. Dasun Shanaka
Skipper Dasun Shanaka will be the pillar of his side in the upcoming Asia cup for Shanaka with his incredibly good performances with the bat lower down the order have been extremely impressive. Also, his wonderful leadership skills have been a treat o watch for all the fans.
His most recent blitz against Australia in the bilateral series match wherein he snatched victory from the jaws of defeat for his side with a fine fifty proves his calibre with the bat. He will be an important asset for his side in the Asia Cup for sure.
7. Wanindu Hasaranga
Wanindu Hasaranga has been the most widely discussed topic in the cricketing world in recent times. Owing to his fantastic all-round skills, IPL franchise RCB purchased him ahead of the IPL 2022. The leggie has got the ability to bamboozle the opposition batters with his incredible spin and wicket-taking ability.
He also is extremely handy with the bat in the later half of the innings for his side. Sri Lanka will look to bank upon their X factor to win them games in the Asia Cup.
8. Chamika Karunaratne
Karunaratne will be another player who will look to initiate a turnaround in his T20I career during the upcoming Asia Cup. The pacer has managed just 11 wickets in his 25 T20I matches so far.
He will have to live up to his worth in order to see his team achieve greater heights in this Asia Cup.
9. Dushmantha Chameera
Dushmantha Chameera will be the leader of the Sri Lankan pace attack for sure in the Asia Cup. The 30-year-old is well known for his fiery opening spells and the ability to choke the runs in the death overs too.
His only task is to work on his line and length so as to be a step ahead of the opposition batters in the middle overs too. Sri Lanka will be relying upon his sheer pace to pick early wickets in the innings.
10. Maheesh Theekshana
22 year old Maheesh Theekshana will be partnering with Wanindu Hasaranga in the skin department in the Asia Cup for Sri Lanka.
The youngster’s one of the most prominent weapons is the carrom ball which he often used to deceive the batsmen. He will have to be at his best in order to choke the runs and pick wickets in the middle overs during the Asia Cup.
11. Nuwan Thushara
With a similar bowling action as that of Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Thushara has been a treat to watch for the fans in his short T20I career so far. The pacer has played only 2 T20Is till now. His quality bowling in the death is what Sri Lanka will look to bank upon to strengthen its grip over the matches.
Thushara is expected to find his best possible rhythm in the upcoming Asia cup despite being rusty so far in his two matches for Sri Lanka.
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