Asia Cup 2023: Predicting Sri Lanka’s Playing XI for their super four encounter against Bangladesh

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will take on each other in the upcoming Super-4 encounter of the Asia Cup 2023; both teams will be locking horns for the second time in the tournament. In the last clash of both the teams during the group stage, Sri Lanka emerged victorious by 5 wickets and started their campaign in the tournament with a win. 

Now, both teams meet again in the super-4 on Saturday, 9th of September at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Looking at the current momentum, Sri Lanka may not opt to go ahead in the super-4 without much changes in the playing XI.  

With that said, here we’ll have a look at the predicted playing XI of Sri Lanka for the super-4 clash against Nepal. 

Openers – Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka 

The opening pair of the hosts, Sri Lanka has been in a good touch in the Asia Cup 2023 till now; they stitched a partnership of 63 runs for the first wicket. They could play a crucial role for Sri Lanka’s further success in the ongoing continental championship. 

Nissanka played a crucial knock of 41 runs; on the other hand, Karunaratne also scored 32 runs. Both the opener could be a vital element for Sri Lanka in the upcoming super-4 against Bangladesh. 

Middle-Order – Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, and Charith Asalanka 

Star number 3 battery Kusal Mendis was in a brilliant touch during the last group match against Afghanistan. He scored 92 runs and also took a catch. He could be a vital cog in the wheel for the Sri Lankan side. He can provide strength to the innings at the number 3. 

Other than him, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Charith Asalanka could be important factors in the middle-order of the batting lineup. They can help Sri Lanka to post a big total on the board in the Super-4 match against Bangladesh.  

All-rounders – Dasun Shanaka (C), and Dhananjaya de Silva 

Skipper Dasun Shanaka and all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva can play a crucial role for Sri Lanka in both batting and bowling departments. Silva and Shanaka can provide strength to Sri Lankan batting in the lower batting order. 

De Silva has been one of the vital elements for Sri Lanka for the last couple of months. He can also help Sri Lanka to start with a win in the super-4 stage. 

Bowlers – Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, and Matheesha Pathirana 

Speaking of the bowling department of the hosts, star young pacer Matheesha Pathirana is in brilliant form with the bowl in the last couple of matches. He can also get amazing and crucial company from fellow pacer Kasun Rajitha and spinners, Maheesh Theekshana, and Dunith Wellalage.