The Asia Cup 2023 is up and running with two games completed in the tournament. Pakistan crushed Nepal in the tournament’s opener and won by 238 runs. After scoring, 342 in the first inning, Pakistan bowled Nepal out for just 104 runs. In the next game, Sri Lanka edged past Bangladesh in a run chase of 165. Today, we will talk about Sri Lankan cricket’s chances of winning the Asia Cup 2023. We will do a SWOT analysis of the Sri Lanka cricket team and see what are their strengths, weaknesses, etc. So let’s start.
Sri Lanka started the Asia Cup 2023 with a win
Sri Lanka Cricket Team played their first game against Bangladesh Cricket Team on August 31 in Pallekele. The rivalry between the two teams is so intense in the last few years. Both the teams gave their best to get each other down.
Sri Lanka has won their first game in the Asia Cup 2023. After winning the toss, Bangladesh opted to bat first. But Bangladesh lost both their openers inside 8 overs. They also lost a key wicket of their captain Shakib ul Hasan in the 11th over.
Bangladesh saw a glimmer of hope when Hridoy and Shanto were batting
Hridoy and Shanto put on a 59-run stand for the 4th wicket. But that was the only real partnership in Bangladesh’s inning. They continue to lose wickets at regular intervals.
Sri Lankan bowlers were on the money as Bangladesh bowled out for just 164. Only Najmul Hossain Shanto showed some fight in the inning. He scored 89 runs off 122 balls with 7 fours. M Pathirana took 4 wickets in the inning.
Sri Lanka managed to get over the line in a tricky run chase
Although Sri Lanka lost both of their openers early, the target wasn’t big enough to get them in trouble. When Sri Lanka was 43 for 3, Sadeera Samarawickrama and C Asalanka put on a 78-run stand for the 4th wicket.
They lost two more wickets after that. But Sri Lanka gets home with 5 wickets and 11 overs to spare.
Sri Lanka, even though they missed the services of some of its key players, shows why they are the current champions of the Asia Cup.
Injury blows for Sri Lanka cricket before the Asia Cup 2023
The Sri Lanka cricket team faced some injury blows before the Asia Cup 2023. Their 4 main players Wanindu Hasaranga, D Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, and Dilshan Madhushanka all have been ruled out of the tournament due to their respective injuries.
To add salt to the burn, one of the main batters Kusal Perera is down with COVID-19. He is still recovering from the flu.
With these blows, Sri Lanka cricket has limited options left in the team. They announced the updated squad just before their first game in the Asia Cup 2023.
Can’t rule Sri Lanka out of the Asia Cup 2023
Although Sri Lanka has limited resources in the team. They are still one of the teams to beat. You cannot take this team lightly. And they showed that in the first game as well.
Home advantage for Sri Lanka
After ACC accepts the hybrid model, Sri Lanka will be a co-host of the Asia Cup 2023 along with Pakistan. Sri Lankans know their conditions very well. Also, they have been playing consistent cricket at their home in the last few months.
They will look to make the most use of their own conditions and they have the spinners who can exploit these conditions very well.
Sri Lanka’s strength
One of the major strengths of the Sri Lanka cricket team is their bowling. However, after the injuries, their bowling resources became limited. But still, they have one of a very strong bowling unit for the tournament.
Particularly their spinners. Sri Lanka relies so much on their spinners to exploit these types of conditions. We can expect the pitches where the ball might grip and turn. There will be some extra spongy bounce also in the pitches. Sri Lankan spinners know how to bowl in these conditions. M Pathirana is also there to compliment the spinners. He is one of the impressive prospects right now in Sri Lanka cricket.
Weaknesses
Although they have a good batting unit, it is not one of the best as compared to other big teams in the Asia Cup 2023.
Opportunity for Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has the opportunity to show the world (or rather Asia) that they are still considered as one of the best. They didn’t get the direct entry in the WC 2023. Sri Lanka has to play the qualifiers.
Sri Lanka are the current champions of the Asia Cup as well. They will look to defend it this time.
Threat
The only threat for them is the inexperience in the team because of the loss of players due to injury. Otherwise, they have a very good team
Conclusion
So this is the SWOT analysis of the Sri Lanka cricket team. They could defend their title in the Asia Cup 2023. What are your predictions?
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