Asia Cup T20 2016 Preview: Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka team did not get the best preparation ahead of the multi-nation Asia Cup T20 after having suffered a 2-1 loss at the hands of India recently. The three-match T20I tour to India had a lot of positive factors and brought to light to the aspects they need to focus on in order to defend the title. The defending champions struggled with the fitness of some of their star players recently but everything seems to be in place for them. They will start out as the favorites.

The 13th edition of the tournament would be hosted by Bangladesh and is the first to be played using the T20I format. All teams will be pitted against each other in a single group and the two teams to top the points table will meet for the summit clash. Sri Lanka will start their campaign against the associate nation which qualifies into the tournament on 25th February.

Team News:

Skipper Lasith Malinga, Angelo Matthews and Nuwan Kulasekara – all of who missed out the recent T20I series against India return to the setup. Rangana Herath also comes in.

Batting strength:

Sri Lanka looks settled batting wise and only thing that they need to worry about is performing on the match day. The top order which consists of openers Niroshan Dickwella, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Dinesh Chandimal and Milinda Siriwardana will have to be at their best. Dilshan and Chandimal, the two most experienced ones in the betting department will carry extra responsibility and must not fail. There is also no lack of experienced players in the middle order in the presence of Angelo Matthews and Chamara Kapugedera. hard hitting all-rounder Thisara Perera would be the pinch hitter and take care of getting those extra runs in the death over with his power hitting.

Bowling strength:

The return of Malinga, Kulasekara and Herath will be a huge advantage. Malinga especially was a big worry from the team’s perspective given his importance in this format. He also was the highest wicket-taker in the previous edition and led Lankans from the front. The pace attack will be led by him. The attack comprises of the experienced Kulasekara and young guns Dasun Shanaka and Dushmantha Chameera. All-rounder’s Mathews and Perera will also be handy. There are three spinners in the line-up – off-break Sachithra Senanayake, leggie Jeffrey Vandersay and veteran left-arm spinner Rangana Herath. Their role in the team’s performance will be huge given the fact that matches will be played on the slower tracks.

Previous Performances:

Sr Lanka is the defending champions this year after winning the title in 2014 after defeating Pakistan by 5 wickets.

Fixtures:

February 25th – Sri Lanka v TBC, Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Dhaka

February 28th – Bangladesh v Sri Lanka, Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Dhaka

March 1st India v Sri Lanka, Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Dhaka

March 4st Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Dhaka

Squad:

Lasith Malinga (Captain),  Angelo Mathews (Vice Captain), Dinesh Chandimal, T M Dilshan, Niroshan Dickwella, Shehan Jayasuriya, Milinda Siriwardana, Dasun Shanaka, Chamara Kapugedara, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dushmantha Chameera, Thisara Perera, Sachithra Senanayake, Rangana Herath, Jeffrey Vandersay