ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP 2023: CAN SRI LANKA SHOW ENOUGH PEDIGREE?

SL also emerged champions in the ICC World Cup Qualifiers, being unscathed. So Shanaka will be telling his troops to Marshall themselves and build from these moments to stake a claim. SL began their campaign against South Africa on October 7...

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Sri Lanka announced their ICC Cricket World Cup squad on September 26. The Lankans, who are without Waning Hasaranga, will be led by Dasun Shanaka. The all-rounder needs to show more character as a leader after not being impressive enough individually of late. 1996 World Cup winners Sri Lanka have a decent unit on paper, but it’s the performance versus the bigger sides where they need to provide more depth and character. The batting also needs to fire, and consistency is what the Shanakaled side would want to have more comfort in this regard. Lanka’s bowling has variety, but Hasaranga’s unavailability hurts the side, One of the major questions Sri Lanka have is, can they show enough in the global tournament? Lanka were blown away by India in the Asia Cup final, and that was hurting. Before that, the Lankans did enjoy a run where they bowled out the opposition for 13 straight matches. SL also emerged champions in the ICC World Cup Qualifiers, being unscathed. So Shanaka will be telling his troops to Marshall themselves and build from these moments to stake a claim. SL began their campaign against South Africa on October 7.

A LOOK AT SRI LANKA’S 15-MEMBER ICC WORLD CUP SQUAD

Sri Lanka squad: Dasun Shanaka (captain), Kusal Mendis (vice-captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Dimuth Karunaratne, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara and Dilshan Madushanka.