Asia Cup 2025: Predicting Sri Lanka XI for match 5

Sri Lanka will clash with Bangladesh in the first of the big clashes in the Asia Cup 2025 tournament at Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi on September 13, 2025.

Sri Lanka defeated Zimbabwe 2-1 in the T20I series before entering the Asia Cup. Charith Asalanka and his team will be sufficiently motivated to exact revenge on Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi after they lost the series 1-2 in three T20I matches against them at home earlier this tear.

Here is the predicted Sri Lanka playing XI for match 5 of the Asia Cup 2025:

Top Order: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Kusal Perera

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, and Kusal Perera form a deadly top three for Sri Lanka. Kusal Mendis has scored 2076 runs at a strike rate of 131.97 in 84 T20Is, including 16 half-centuries with a best score of 86 while Kusal Perera has scored 2130 runs at a strike rate of 133.37 in 82 T20Is, including one hundred and fifteen half-centuries. Pathum Nissanka, meanwhile, has scored 1950 runs at a strike rate of 123.10 in 68 T20Is, including 15 half-centuries with a best score of 90.

Middle Order: Charith Asalanka (C), Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka

Charith Asalanka, the captain, has scored 1282 runs at a strike rate of 126.55 in 64 T20Is, including six half-centuries with a best score of 80*. Kamindu Mendis, famous for bowling spin with both right and left hands, has scored 443 runs at a strike rate of 128.03 in 27 T20Is with a best score of 65*. He has also taken three wickets. The 2022 T20 World Cup-winning ex-captain Dasun Shanaka has scored 1530 runs at a strike rate of 121.71, including five half-centuries with a best score of 74*. Shanaka has also taken 34 wickets at an economy of 8.19, including best bowling figures of 3/16.

Lower Order: Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana

Sri Lanka’s spin twins Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana are expected to be included in the lower order. Hasaranga has taken 131 wickets at an economy of 6.98 in 79 T20Is, including best bowling figures of 4/9. Maheesh Theekshana, on the other hand, has taken 63 wickets at an economy of 6.99 in 65 T20Is, including best bowling figures of 3/17.

Bowlers: Matheesha Pathirana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dunith Wellalage

Dushmantha Chameera has taken 63 wickets at an economy of 8.01 in 58 T20Is, including best bowling figures of 4/17 while Matheesha Pathirana has taken 31 wickets at an economy of 8.54 in 20 T20Is, including best bowling figures of 4/24. Dunith Wellalage might be preferred as the third spinner. He has taken six wickets at an economy of 5.87 in four T20Is, with best bowling figures of 3/9.