After a dramatic 2-wicket victory in their final group match against Bangladesh on Thursday, Sri Lanka has done it to the Super 4 stage of the 2022 Asia Cup.
They will get their Super 4 campaign ongoing against Afghanistan on Saturday (September 3). The 2 sides have met once in the match, with Afghanistan escaping on that occasion.
Fazalhaq Farooqi’s wonderful display with the new ball had the Sri Lankan highest order tottering, supporting Afghanistan to an 8-wicket win. Dasun Shanaka’s men will be keen to come back the favor when the 2 sides meet again.
Before the Super 4 stage, let’s take a look at 3 Sri Lankan performers to watch out for.
#1 Maheesh Theekshana
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The off-spinner has been somewhat calm in this year’s Asia Cup so far. After creating his mark in the T20 World Cup the previous year and the IPL before this year, he’s still verdict his groove in this Match.
Mahesh Theekshana has taken 17 wickets in 20 T20I games. His best rate of 6.52 stands out, as long as he primarily operates in the power play. Although, the 22-year-old has only taken one wicket in 2 games this year.
His economy rate of 7.25 also proposes that he hasn’t been at his best so far. Sri Lanka will desire that their conundrum spinner can find his best form soon if they want to progress further in the Match.
#2 Charith Asalanka
While the Sanga-Mahela partnership of 822 runs in 22 innings together in T20Is is the highest for Sri Lanka, the only present pair in the 400+ runs list is Charith Asalanka & Pathum Nissanka who have 403 runs in 13 innings together. Sri Lanka face Afghanistan today #AsiaCup2022 pic.twitter.com/1wne1zLped
— Akhila Seneviratne (@AkhilaSene97) September 3, 2022
The left-handed cricketer could be key to success for Dasun Shanaka’s men when they rise against spin-heavy bowling attacks, specifically in their opening encounter against Afghanistan. He has performed 22 T20Is so far, securing 522 runs at a strike rate of 122. In extra, Charith Asalanka can also chip in with some odd overs of off-spin if needed.
He was one of Sri Lanka’s most stable batters the previous year but has fought slightly this year. Although, his superb numbers against the spin mean that he will be single to keep an eye on when he rises against the similar of Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
#3 Pathum Nissanka
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Pathum Nissanka has been one of the most thrilling outlooks from the island nation in modern times. The technically gifted top-order batsman has amassed 651 runs in 26 T20I games so far.
He has only secured 23 runs in 2 Asia Cup matches so far. His strike rate of 117 might also be disturbing at first sight, but he has been working on his power play.
On a cast that might get tougher to bat on, Nissanka could be the ideal anchor for the Sri Lankan innings, enabling the other batters to play freely near him.