Sri Lanka's projected starting eleven for the Asia Cup: The on-going debate over the No.4 position, and the potential return of Hasaranga.

Sri Lanka Prepare for Asia Cup with Mixed Form and Injury Concerns

Sri Lanka, the island nation known for its rich cricket history, has been drawn in Group B of the upcoming Asia Cup, alongside Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong. The tournament is set to commence in September, and the Sri Lankan team is gearing up for the challenge.

However, the team's preparations have been marred by a mix of inconsistent performances and injury concerns. Kusal Mendis, a stalwart in Sri Lanka's T20I squad this year, has struggled to find form since the start of Sri Lanka's tour of New Zealand last December. Nuwan Thushara, the first-choice quick in the T20 format, has also seen a dip in his performance recently.

One of the key concerns for the Sri Lankan team is the injury status of Matheesha Pathirana. If Pathirana is unable to play, Binura Fernando could step in to provide a point of difference in Sri Lanka's seam attack. Captain Charith Asalanka will bat at his usual No.5 spot, offering a part-time off-spin option. Kamil Mishara, a regular opener, could potentially be moved to the middle order if needed.

The squad for the Asia Cup includes Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, and Matheesha Pathirana.

Kusal Perera, a left-handed batsman, provides a valuable option in the top three, having struck at upwards of 140, averaging 26 since the home series against West Indies last October. Pathum Nissanka, who has played all six of Sri Lanka's T20Is in 2025, has averaged almost 36 while striking at 140 over the last 24 months.

The No.4 spot has been a challenge for the Sri Lankan team. Nuwanidu Fernando is most likely to occupy this position, having made seven and one in the first two T20Is against Zimbabwe. If Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana are injured and unavailable for the Asia Cup, the likely Sri Lankan starting XI would replace them with other pace bowlers or all-rounders such as Asitha Fernando and Dushmantha Chameera to maintain the team's bowling strength.

The predicted playing XI for Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup includes Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga (if fit), Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana (if fit), Nuwan Thushara, and Matheesha Pathirana (if fit).

Dasun Shanaka is expected to shore up the batting at No.8 for Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup. The team management will have to make strategic decisions to finalise the rest of the lineup, but key batsmen like Pathum Nissanka and Charith Asalanka are likely to feature prominently.

Sri Lanka's projected starting eleven for the Asia Cup: The on-going debate over the No.4 position, and the potential return of Hasaranga.