Colombo: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has officially announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup, scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 9 to September 28, 2025. The announcement has generated excitement among cricket fans as the island nation prepares to compete against some of the top cricketing sides from Asia.
The squad will be captained by Charith Asalanka, who has emerged as one of Sri Lanka’s most reliable performers in recent years. His leadership will be crucial as the team seeks to reclaim regional supremacy in a tournament that has historically held special importance for Sri Lankan cricket.
Sri Lanka’s Rich Asia Cup History
Sri Lanka has long been considered one of the powerhouses of Asian cricket, having lifted the Asia Cup title six times (1986, 1997, 2004, 2008, 2014, and 2022). Alongside India and Pakistan, the team has consistently performed well in the tournament, reaching multiple finals over the decades.
The Asia Cup has always been more than just a cricket tournament for Sri Lanka—it has been a stage to showcase resilience, skill, and adaptability against the strongest teams in the continent. With the competition now set in UAE conditions, which often favor spinners and disciplined batting, Sri Lanka is once again expected to field a balanced combination of youth and experience.
Tournament Format and Grouping
The 2025 edition of the Asia Cup will feature eight teams divided into two groups:
- Group A: Pakistan, India, UAE, Oman
- Group B: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Hong Kong
Each team will play round-robin matches within their group, with the top two sides advancing to the Super Four stage. From there, the best two will clash in the grand final on September 28, 2025.
For Sri Lanka, this means crucial early encounters against Bangladesh, a side that has often pushed them to the limit; Afghanistan, known for their explosive spin attack; and Hong Kong, the rising associate nation looking to make a mark on the continental stage.
Leadership Under Charith Asalanka
The decision to hand the captaincy to Charith Asalanka reflects Sri Lanka’s strategy of backing younger players who have shown consistency. Asalanka, a stylish left-handed batter, has become known for his ability to handle pressure situations, particularly in multi-nation tournaments.
At just 27, Asalanka already carries significant international experience across formats. His tactical awareness and calm demeanor are expected to play a vital role in guiding Sri Lanka through tough games in the Asia Cup. Analysts believe his leadership style could inject fresh energy into a team eager to restore its winning legacy.
Key Inclusions: Wanindu Hasaranga Returns
One of the biggest highlights of the squad announcement is the inclusion of all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, who had not been part of the T20 series against Zimbabwe due to workload management. Widely regarded as one of the best leg-spinners in world cricket, Hasaranga also provides valuable lower-order batting strength.
His presence is expected to be a game-changer on UAE pitches that traditionally favor spin bowlers. With his knack for breaking partnerships and scoring quick runs, Hasaranga will be central to Sri Lanka’s plans.
Balanced Combination of Experience and Youth
The Sri Lankan selectors have opted for a squad that blends seasoned campaigners with promising youngsters:
- Batting Strength: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, and Kusal Perera bring stability to the top order, while Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, and Dasun Shanaka add middle-order resilience.
- All-Round Options: Alongside Hasaranga, the likes of Chamika Karunaratne and Dunith Wellalage provide balance with both bat and ball.
- Pace Attack: The squad features speedsters like Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesa Pathirana, and Binura Fernando, who will be key in exploiting UAE’s bounce and pace-friendly conditions under lights.
- Spin Resources: Hasaranga, Wellalage, and mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana form a potent spin trio capable of troubling even the strongest batting line-ups.
Complete 16-Member Squad
- Charith Asalanka (Captain)
- Pathum Nissanka
- Kusal Mendis
- Kusal Perera
- Nuwanidu Fernando
- Kamindu Mendis
- Kamil Mishra
- Dasun Shanaka
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Dunith Wellalage
- Chamika Karunaratne
- Maheesh Theekshana
- Dushmantha Chameera
- Binura Fernando
- Nuwan Thushara
- Matheesa Pathirana
Major Talking Points Around the Squad
1. The Return of Kusal Perera
Perera’s inclusion strengthens the opening slot. Known for his explosive stroke play, his experience will be vital in powerplays, especially against top bowling attacks like India and Pakistan.
2. Fast Bowling Variety
With Chameera, Pathirana, and Binura Fernando, Sri Lanka boasts a mix of pace, swing, and variations. Pathirana, often compared to Lasith Malinga for his slinging action, has the ability to unsettle batters with his death-over precision.
3. Youthful Promise of Dunith Wellalage
The young left-arm spinner has impressed with his control and maturity beyond his years. His presence in the squad underlines Sri Lanka’s commitment to grooming future stars while relying on experienced hands like Hasaranga.
4. Middle-Order Depth
Asalanka, Shanaka, and Kamindu Mendis provide much-needed depth, ensuring Sri Lanka can recover from early setbacks and accelerate in the middle overs.
Challenges Ahead for Sri Lanka
Despite the balanced squad, Sri Lanka faces several challenges in the Asia Cup:
- Consistency Issues: In recent years, the team has struggled with inconsistent performances, particularly against stronger opposition.
- Injury Concerns: Players like Chameera and Hasaranga have battled fitness concerns in the past, making squad rotation and workload management critical.
- Pressure of Group Stage: With Bangladesh and Afghanistan both capable of upsets, Sri Lanka must start strong to avoid early elimination.
What This Squad Means for Sri Lanka’s Future
Cricket experts see this squad as a transition team, combining senior players with emerging talents who could carry Sri Lanka into the next era of international cricket. With the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the T20 World Cup 2026 on the horizon, the Asia Cup will serve as a testing ground for combinations, strategies, and leadership under Asalanka.
If Sri Lanka manages to progress deep into the tournament, it will not only boost team morale but also signal to the cricketing world that the island nation remains a force to be reckoned with in Asia.
Fan Reactions and Expectations
News of the squad announcement has sparked excitement among Sri Lankan cricket fans, who are hopeful of another strong Asia Cup campaign. Social media has been buzzing with discussions around:
- The leadership qualities of Charith Asalanka
- Wanindu Hasaranga’s return and expected impact
- The form of Kusal Perera and Pathum Nissanka at the top
- Whether the pace unit can withstand the challenge of Indian and Pakistani batters in potential knockout stages
Many fans believe this squad has the right mix of talent, aggression, and adaptability to bring home the trophy once again.
Conclusion
With the Asia Cup 2025 just weeks away, Sri Lanka’s 16-member squad announcement has set the stage for an exciting cricketing showdown in the UAE. Under the captaincy of Charith Asalanka and bolstered by the return of Wanindu Hasaranga, the team carries a blend of experience and youthful energy.
As one of the most successful sides in Asia Cup history, Sri Lanka enters the tournament with high expectations. The challenge will be maintaining consistency, handling pressure in high-stakes matches, and making the most of favorable conditions in the UAE.
For fans and analysts alike, the Asia Cup will reveal whether this new-look Sri Lankan squad can recapture past glory and lay the foundation for future success on the international stage.
