Lankan Pride
2 months from now, Sri Lanka will be playing Namibia to kick off the grand tournament in Australia, however several questions still exist regarding the squad composition and this covers a few of those.
Which players are locked in?
Wanindu Hasaranga, Dasun Shanaka, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa & Pathum Nissanka.
The second opener
Possible options: Danushka Gunathilaka, Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Mendis, Lasith Croospulle, Ashan Randika
Requirements: Left hander, should get quick starts, preferably a wicket keeper
Most suitable: Niroshan Dickwella
Number 4 conundrum
Possible options: Avishka Fernando, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Oshada Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva
Requirements: Right hander to complement Asalanka & Bhanuka, can hit off spin as well as pace.
Most suitable: Avishka Fernando
Fast bowling AR
Possible options: Chamika Karunaratne, Lahiru Madushanka, Dhananjaya Lakshan
Requirements: Power hitter at the back end, middle overs bowling
Most suitable: Chamika Karunaratne
Death bowler
Possible options: Lahiru Kumara, Matheesha Pathirana, Asitha Fernando
Requirements: Bowl hard lengths at high pace, reliable yorker & slower variations
Most suitable: Matheesha Pathirana
Reserves
Backup opener
Options: Danushka Gunathilaka/ Lasith Croospulle/ Kusal Mendis
Backup middle order player
Options: Oshada Fernando/ Nuwanidu Fernando/ Kamindu Mendis
Backup spinner
Options: Suminda Lakshan/ Jeffrey Vandersay/ Lakshan Sandakan
Backup fast bowler
Options: Dilshan Madushanka/ Lahiru Kumara/ Lahiru Madushanka
None of the newcomers names you have mentioned will get picked it will be the usual set of guys you have played together in the past few years
My preferred squad for Asia Cup T20 World Cup;
1. Kusal Mendis (wk)
2. Danushka Gunathilaka / Pathum Nissanka
3. Charith Asalanka
4. Bhanuka Rajapaksa/ Dananjaya De Silva
5. Wanindu Hasaranga De Silva
6. Dasun Shanaka (c)
7. Chamika Karunaratne/ Lahiru Mathusanga
8. Dunith Wellalage
9. Dushmantha Chameera
10. Matheesa Pathirana
11. Maheesh Theeksana
12. Pathum Nissanka
13. Dananjaya De Silve
14. Lahiru Madushanga
15. Jeffrey Vandersay
16. Asitha Fernando
17. Biruna Fernando/ Dilshan Madushanga
Note: I personally include Angelo Mathews to bat at no 4. I don’t think selectors would go with him.
1)Kusal mendis
2)Dhanushka Gunathilaka
3)Charith asalanka
4)Dinesh chandimal(wk)
5)Bhanuka rajapaksha
6)Dasun Shanaka
7) wanidu Hasaranga
8) Chamika karunarathne
9)dushmantha chameera
10) Maheesh theekshana
11) Lahiru Kumara/Asitha fernando/Dilshan Madushanka