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Sri Lankan team who still haven't confirmed a place for them in ODI World Cup 2023, in few months' time will be playing the Asia Cup 2023 in their home ground Sri Lanka and few games in Pakistan. Sri Lanka despite being the defending champions of Asia Cup have won last year title in T20 format but this time the format will be changed to One-Day Internationals (ODIs) like it happened in 2018.
Sri Lankan team's form in ODIs has been a big concern over the recent years and notably in 2018 Asia Cup they weren't even able to make it to the Super Four stage after losing to Bangladesh and Afghanistan in the group stage. However, currently they are playing WC Qualifiers against lower ranked teams to qualify for the upcoming ODI WC edition.
Here in this article, we will have a look at the probable XI of Sri Lankan team for the upcoming Asia Cup:
Openers: Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne
Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne looks to be certain as openers for the upcoming Asia Cup, looking at the way they are playing in the World Cup Qualifiers 2023 currently. Pathum Nissanka has scored 364 runs in ODIs at an average of 52 in this calendar year and Dimuth Karunaratne has scored 225 ODI runs in just five innings so far in 2023.
Middle Order: Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, and Charith Asalanka
Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, and Charith Asalanka came in good touch with the bat against UAE in the 2023 WC Qualifiers game and they are expected to be backed for Asia Cup 2023 also to perform also unless there are any injury concerns.
All-rounders: Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Wanindu Hasaranga
Sri Lanka would play under Shanaka's leadership and in the lower order batting Dhananjaya de Silva's batting would be handy in Asian conditions. Wanindu Hasaranga has been sensational with the ball in last two ODI games at 2023 WC Qualifiers and he will be key bowler in spin friendly tracks on Asian soil.
Bowlers: Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, and Maheesh Theekshana
Lahiru Kumara and Kasun Rajitha have been key bowlers for Sri Lanka so far in this year in ODI cricket as they have picked 15 and 12 wickets with the ball respectively. Inclusion of Maheesh Theekshana will add strength to their bowling department on Asian conditions as his partnership with Hasaranga while bowling could become dangerous for the opponent.
12th man - Chamika Karunaratne may also be in consideration to be in the playing XI depending on conditions.
