Posted by Sri Lanka have named their squad for the T20 World Cup that’s scheduled to commence on 17th of October in UAE, Sri Lanka have named a 15+4 man squad for the mega ICC event.
Sri Lanka are placed in round 1 and will have to qualify to make their way to the super 12. Sri Lanka will miss Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Mendis and Danushka Gunathilaka as they are serving a year suspension and Kusal Perera’s return is a big positive to the team.
Batting is a major concern for Sri Lanka, they lack aggresive and power hitters in the squad. Avishka Fernando and Kusal Perera are the first choice openers with options in Dinesh Chandimal. A settled middle order that lacks someone who can shift gares, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka and Dhananjaya De Silva construct the middle order. Lower middle order there’s Wanindu Hasaranga and Chamika Karunaratne both handy with the bat, provide the missing spark.
Bowling again there aren’t many options and lack frontline bowlers having many all-rounders and part timers, the bowling group still have had collective performances and the team will wish for a more few, teams have banked on spinners knowing what conditions to expect in UAE and Sri Lanka do have a good spin attack in Wanindu Hasaranga, Praveen Jayawickrama and Maheesh Theekshana. Pace bowling is lead by Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Pradeep, all-rounders Chamika Karunaratne and Dasun Shanaka are the other pacers in the squad.
SRI LANKA’S SQUAD FOR T20 WORLD CUP : Dasun Shanaka (C), Dhananjaya De Silva, Kusal Janith Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kamindu Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lahiru Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana.
TRAVELLING RESERVES : Lahiru Kumara, Binura Fernando, Akila Dananjaya, Pulina Tharanga.
Sri Lanka first need to battle the round 1 fixtures, they’ll be up against Namibia to kick-start their T20 World Cup campaign on 18th of October, next they play Ireland on 20th of October and on 22nd of October they play Netherlands in their last fixture of round 1 games.
Sri Lanka should comfortably make it to the super 12 and are favourites, knockouts finish will be a tuff ask but can upset teams. Sri Lanka need to aim for a good super 12 finish and that will be an inspiring end to their World Cup campaign.
Bureau of sports 