Picking 6 fast bowlers, Including two “passed the expiry date” allrounders for the Asia Cup is a suicidal attempt, considering scorching heat and spin friendly tracks in UAE. However, sensible selection is a RARITY in Upul Tharanga – Sanath Jayasuriya era, as chief selector and head coach respectively.
Defending champion India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad features a spin-heavy attack with Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar Patel, supported by part-time spinner Abhishek Sharma, designed to exploit the typical spin-friendly conditions of UAE pitches.
Afghanistan also named a spin-heavy 17-member squad for the tournament, led by captain Rashid Khan, and featuring experienced spinners Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi, alongside uncapped mystery spinner AM Ghazanfar.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, trusted more on fast bowling combination, by picking four frontline fast bowlers – Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana – and two seam-bowling allrounders Dasun Shanaka and Chamika Karunaratne!
In the spin department, Sri Lanka have only three frontline spin options, including recovering Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshan and Dunith Wellalage, while captain Charith Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis are there to support.
“Instead of Chamika or Binura, they should have Included leg spin allrounder Dushan Hemantha to further bolster the spin attack” a Cricket expert In the Island told Cricket Age.
Continuous selection of Kusal Perera, Shanaka and Chamika also highlights lack of vision in Tharanga and Co. selection policy. India forced legends like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to walk away from the T20 format. Pakistan snubbed Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. However, Sri Lanka still believes in these ‘tried, tested and failed’ players, especially when the T20 World Cup is not far away!
Sri Lanka, though, can still make amends, by playing Kamil Mishara and Dunith Wellalage in place of Perera and Dasun respectively. However, going by head coach Jayasuriya’s track record, it’s hard for him to drop CERTAIN players!
After the group stage, the tournament will proceed to the Super 4, where the top two teams from each group will qualify. If Sri Lanka finishes at the top of Group B, then all of their Super 4 matches will be held in Dubai. If they finishes second, then one of their Super 4 clashes will be held in Abu Dhabi, and the remaining two will be held in Dubai.
Numbers shows that spinners enjoys slightly better control and wicket-taking efficiency compared to pacers in Dubai. Historically, In T20s, Dubai pitches tend to favor spinners, especially when dry. Conditions in Dubai also see seamers struggle for prolonged movement due to the enclosed stadium.
