Who would have thought that there will come a day when a former champion side will not be able to make automatic progress to the Super 12s stage in the World T20 tournament?
Well, no one.
But we do have a reality check here as Sri Lanka will be battling out among the eight teams divided into two groups of four.
Only top two teams from both groups can make the further qualification which means the Lankan lions will have to finish at the helm or at number two in their group to move ahead.
Sri Lanka were ranked ninth as of December 18, 2018, and hence didn’t make an automatic qualification.
But it is how it is and the Lankan fans would now be expecting the team to turn fortunes for themselves in this edition of the World T20.
Sri Lanka are coming into the World Cup with a mixed experience as far as white-ball cricket is concerned.
They were hammered by England away from home while losing the ODI series against India on their home soil before providing some delight to their fans in the T20I format where they won a three-match series 2-1.
The inconsistency continued further ahead as they did manage to win the ODI series against the Proteas but suffered a 3-0 whitewash defeat in T20Is. But the Dasun Shabaka-led side would be confident after winning both the warm-up games.
Sri Lanka will now begin the campaign against Namibia in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
Team News
Sri Lanka would be without the services of three prominent names, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, and Niroshan Dickwella as the players were earlier slapped with a one year ban for breaching the biosecure bubble on the tour of the UK. The cricketers have been key members of the Sri Lankan unit but unfortunately won’t be donning the team’s jersey in the competition.
But as they say, the only way is to move on.
The Asian side comprises players who have a lot of ability and talent.
Spin - An asset
Sri Lanka would like to bank upon their spinners especially Wanindu Hasaranga who has the capability of deceiving batsmen and can return with good economy rate.
Though, Hasaranga didn’t really have a great time while playing his IPL franchise, RCB where he just featured in a couple of games for them but has been consistently among wickets for his national side in T20Is as well as in ODIs.
The leggie’s economy rate in T20Is is 6.57 which is very very impressive and Shanaka can keep a lot of faith in him.
Maheesh Theekshana is another spinner who recently made headlines after he scalped four wickets against South Africa in the one ODI that he played. The off-spinner is new to international cricket but has already shown a glimpse of his talent in a brief career.
Inconsistent batting
Sri Lanka might face some struggles with their middle-order batting as the batters haven’t really fired consistently. They need someone who can hold the fort for the side at one end.
Captain Shanaka can be one of the options as he did against Oman in the first T20I that took place before the start of the World T20. Shanaka scored a quick-fire 51* off 24. Another player who can play that anchor’s role can be Avishka Fernando who too chipped in with 83* off 59 in that particular match.
But whosoever takes this role has to be consistent because the Lankan side is facing issues in the top order as well. An experienced batsman like Dinesh Chandimal is going through a rough patch.
He hasn’t scored runs at the highest level in the recent past, barring that one half-century against South Africa in the T20Is at home. So, this is surely the area of concern for the team management that needs to get sorted out as soon as they can.
Squad: Dasun Shanaka (captain), Kusal Janith Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya De Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Maheesh Theekshana, Akila Dananjaya, Binura Fernando.