A wake-up call for Charith Asalanka?

Sri Lanka's cricket has been through the wringer since missing out on the Champions Trophy, but there's finally a sense that the ship is being steadied. Pathum Nissanka is our big hope like Aravinda de Silva was in the good old days.

- BY REX CLEMENTINE

The side has been moving forward with calculated precision — ticking boxes, planning long-term and more importantly, stacking up some prized scalps. Beating world champions Australia in an ODI series this year was the icing on the cake after that memorable series win over India last season.

The Asia Cup, however, proved that the road to redemption is still full of potholes. After a promising start, Sri Lanka ran out of steam in the Super Four — losing to Bangladesh and Pakistan, while the high-scoring tie against India only rubbed salt into the wounds. It was a classic case of doing the hard work early and then taking the foot off the pedal when it mattered most.