BAN vs SL: Sri Lanka Playing XI vs Bangladesh, Asia Cup 2023 - Predicted

Sri Lanka are set to play Bangladesh in their opening match of Asia Cup 2023 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

Sri Lanka got hit by multiple injuries just before the start of the Asia Cup 2023. Co-hosts Sri Lanka had to wait until Tuesday to decide on their 15-members squad for the tournament. Sri Lanka announced their 15-members squad just before the start of the tournament. Pace bowler Dushmanth Chameera, spin all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, wicket-keeper Kushal Perera, and all-rounder Avishka Fernando have been ruled out of the tournament. Hasaranga and Chameera’s injuries came as a big setback for them.

Sri Lanka are the defending champions of Asia Cup, having won the previous T20 edition in UAE. They will be opening their campaign against Bangladesh at Pallekele Stadium in Kandy on August 31st. Sri Lanka are part of group B along with Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Along with captain Dasun Shanaka, pacers Matheesha Pathirana and Kusal Mendis hold the key for Sri Lankan team in this tournament. Let’s have a prediction of the playing XI of the co-host Sri Lanka in their opening encounter against Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI

1. Pathum Nissanka 

Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka will be leading the charge as an opener for Sri Lankan cricket team. Nissanka has become an integral member of Sri Lanka’s playing XI since he made his international debut. Nissanka is going strong this year as well. He has smashed two centuries in 14 ODI games he has played in 2023. He holds the key to Sri Lanka’s batting order.

2. Dimuth Karunaratne 

Since he made his comeback in the one-day international, Sri Lanka test skipper Dimuth Karunartne has been consistently scoring runs in ODI as well. Karunaratne will be accompanying Pathum Nissanka as an opener. In 10 ODIs this year, he has scored 481 runs at an average of 60.12, scoring his maiden ODI hundred in his career. Dimuth Karunaratne has played only 44 ODIs in his 12-years-long career.

3. Charith Asalanka 

26-years-old right-hand batter Charith Asalanka will be taking up the responsibility of the No. 3 batter in the playing XI. Charith Asalanka has so far scored 1093 runs in 30 ODI innings in his career, and he has been a decent performer for his national side in 2023 as well. In 2023, Asalanka scored 340 runs in 12 innings, including two half-centuries.

4. Kusal Medis (WK)

In Kusal Perera’s absence due to COVID-19, Kusal Mendis will take up the responsibility as a wicket-keeper as well as Sri Lanka’s number 4 in the batting order. In 16 ODIs, Kusal has smashed 329 runs with two half-centuries this year. Kusal has become a match-winning figure in the Sri Lankan team and will be playing a key role in the middle-order.

5. Dhananjaya De Silva 

Dhananjaya De Silva provides an all-round capability to Sri Lanka in the playing XI, along with his finishing ability in the lower middle-order, De Silva can also bowl right-arm off-break. Dhananjaya De Silva has picked up six wickets this year in 13 ODI games and scored 307 runs with the bat. He will be taking up the role of No. 5 batter.

6. Sadeera Samarawickrama 

With Wanindu Hasaranga and Avishka Fernando missing out on the Asia Cup league games, Sri Lanka will be looking to extend their batting order. Sadeera Samarawickrama was part of Sri Lanka’s campaign for World Cup qualifiers. Sadeera has played 17 games for Sri Lanka in his short career so far and scored 400 runs at an average of 30.76.

7. Dasun Shanka (c)

Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka was at his best during the last Asia Cup event in Dubai. The absence of Hasaranga in the lower middle order will be a worrying sign for him, and now he will have to take on extra responsibility as an all-rounder. Shanaka will be the X-factor Sri Lanka needs in their XI. He has a century under his name in 16 ODI games this year.

8. Dushan Hemantha 

A new entry in the Sri Lanka squad will come in as a replacement for injured Wanindu Hasaranga. Dushan Hemantha has played only two ODI games in his career. He was also part of the team’s campaign in the ICC Cricket World Cup qualifier 2023 in Zimbabwe. Hemantha has an opportunity as an all-rounder in this tournament.

9. Kasun Rajitha 

Kasunn Rajitha will take up the responsibility of Sri Lanka’s new ball attack. A 6-foot-tall Rajitha is known for getting movement, and the extra bounce of the wickets will make an impact on sub-continent wickets in Asia Cup 2023. In 11 ODIs, he has picked up 14 wickets in 2023. 30-years-old Rajitha has played only 24 ODIs so far in his career.

10. Matheesha Pathirana

Along with Kasun Rajitha and Captain Dasun Shanaka, Matheesha Pathirana will be in the pace attack. Known as Malinga 2.0, Pathirana will be used as a one-change option as well as a death-over bowler in the tournament. Pathirana will be a crucial member of Sri Lankan XI and is expected to pick up wickets with ease.

11.  Maheesh Theekshana

Off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana has been a revolution for Sri Lanka as a spinner. Theekshana has been a successful off-spinner in the limited-overs format and has established himself as a wicket-taking option for any team he plays for. The 23-years-old off-spinner has taken 36 wickets in 22 one-day international games so far in his career.

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