Sri Lanka’s road to the Asia Cup Final won’t be easy. The island nation looked like the second team of the competition after India until the group stage, but stuttered against Bangladesh in their first Super Four match. Batting and bowling both underperformed.
Wellalage likely to be dropped
The biggest weak link for Sri Lanka has been Dunith Wellalage. The all-rounder, who’s undergoing personal tragedy, hasn’t shown up yet. It looked like the Charith Asalanka-led team played with just 10 players against Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
With the ball, Wellalage has gone for 85 runs in 8 overs and has taken just 1 wicket. Played for variety, the left-arm spinner hasn’t found success. But the bat, it’s even worse. The all-rounder hasn’t batted even once in the Asia Cup. Of course, slating him at number nine hasn’t helped.
But at this point, continuing with Wellalage doesn’t make sense. Pakistan has several left-handed batters like Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, and Faheem Ashraf. That match-up will be against him and Sri Lanka. Therefore, dropping him makes the most sense.
Theekshana better option than Binura Fernando
The surface in Abu Dhabi has been helpful for fast bowlers, more than the one in Dubai. In this regard, Sri Lanka might want to bring in another pacer. But Matheesha Pathirana hasn’t been firing for them. Binura Fernando could be a valuable option, but we have seen Dasun Shanaka do the third pacer job for them.
Since Wanindu Hasaranga is their lone frontline spinner, Sri Lanka have found it tough to keep the run flow down in the middle overs. In this regard, Maheesh Theekshana can do the job for them. If the pitch offers assistance to pacers, Shanaka can do the job with Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara.
But if the spinners get help and Theekshana isn’t there, Kamindu Mendis and Charith Asalanka can’t do the necessary. To build a well-rounded team, Sri Lanka might consider bringing the mystery spinner. Even if he doesn’t take wickets, he can dry up the runs and bowl in all phases.
Predicted Sri Lanka Playing XI vs Pakistan
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (c), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara
Bench: Nuwanidu Fernando, Binura Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne, Janith Liyanage, Matheesha Pathirana, Dunith Wellalage
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