A victory this evening for Sri Lanka will reserve a place for them in the Asia Cup Super Four Internship and can face India on September 26.
Sri Lanka enters the Abu Dhabi game with a simple memory: winning or at least avoid a heavy loss. Pathum Nissanka has been the heart rate of their striker until now and the first order has mainly done its job, but the real selection story is in the Bowling department.
Matheesha Pathirana, who returned from injury this year, fought for consistency and is back on the bench, while Maheesh Theekshana has kept his place because he gives the team more control in the middle of the Overs. The probable XI against Afghanistan seems to be settled for the moment. The Sri Lanka, hitherto undefeated with two victories, is in pole position but must always avoid a strong defeat to ensure qualification.
Asia Cup 2025: Sri Lanka probable playing Xi vs Afghanistan
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Pathum Nissanka |
| 2 | Kusal Mendis (WK) |
| 3 | Kamil Mashara |
| 4 | Kusal Perera |
| 5 | Charith Asalanka (C) |
| 6 | Kamindo errors |
| 7 | Dasun Shanaka |
| 8 | Canaan is not |
| 9 | Maheesh TheEkshana |
| 10 | Dushmantha Chameera |
| 11 | Nuan Thushara |
How the XI occurred, in clear terms. Pathum Nissanka made the big lifting at the top. His 68 in victory over Hong Kong ruled a trembling pursuit and showed why Sri Lanka supports him as anchor. In this cut in Asia, he scored a total of 118 points at an average of 59.00.
Kusal Mendis and Kamil Mishara did not have huge scores but kept the sleeves together if necessary, and Kusal Perera always brings this violent counterbalance capacity. Charith Asalanka was the center calm, leading with intention.
The sewing service does the job it owes. Dushmantha Chameera was the typing option with the new ball and death when he took two important counters against Hong Kong and made life difficult for opposition strikers. Nuwan Thushara and Dasun Shanaka provide useful support and experience; The lower -order Bowling option of Shanaka and Bancable Bowling gives Sri Lanka sufficient flexibility.
Wanindu Rasaanga has returned to contribute to fast races and remains a great Factor X as a versatile striker who can play crucial moments. Overall, the balance of Sri Lanka is currently weighted to control the middle of the Overs and some big late strikers.
Theekshana vs pathirana
The selection headache is simple to describe. Maheesh Theekshana was chosen in front of Pathirana in the Hong Kong match and finished with four overs for 22, no counters. It was a tidy spell and focused on the economy which perfectly corresponds to the conditions to the United Arab Emirates. Meanwhile, Matheesha Pathirana has been on the bench and his feedback since the return of injury was erratic.
Matha Pathirana T20 Statistics in 2025
| Hostel | Overtime | Wkts | Bbi | Avenue | Stagnation | Sr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | 85.5 | 23 | 3/36 | 37.56 | 10.06 | 22.3 |
These figures explain the selection logic. Pathirana remains a weapon when it is in song, but the economy and average of this sample are a concern for a team that needs control at crucial times. Given the surfaces of Abu Dhabi and the way in which Sri Lanka wants to manage the intermediate letters, Theekshana’s ability to make tight oblies without fleeing the races seems more precious at the moment. In his last 11 T20 appels, Pathirana only took one counter or less up to 9 times!
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