Zimbabwe: Sri Lanka’s final trial before Asia Cup
Although the three-match ODI leg will be an opportunity for fine-tuning, the spotlight will inevitably fall on the shortest format. The Zimbabwe tour represents Sri Lanka’s final window of experimentation before the Asia Cup commences in Dubai on September 9. With less than a week separating the two tournaments, the selectors are under considerable pressure to arrive at a balanced and settled T20 combination that can win the title lifted in 2022 and gather crucial momentum ahead of next year’s World Cup.
Nuwanidu Fernando finds himself in the No.4 position with the absence of Dinesh Chandimal and Avishka Fernando - Pic courtesy SLC
The T20 squad sees the absence of Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, Eshan Malinga and Jeffrey Vandersay. While Hasaranga’s exclusion is tactical as he has been rested to recover from the hamstring injury sustained during the Bangladesh series, the omission of others is primarily due to poor form. In their place, Nuwanidu Fernando and Kamil Mishara have been rewarded for their consistency with the bat for Sri Lanka ‘A’ and in domestic cricket.
Nuwanidu is most likely to walk straight into the side, having been earmarked for the pivotal number four role where both Chandimal and Avishka faltered. Left-hander Mishara has also been drafted in at the expense of Avishka Fernando. A promising stroke-maker, Mishara could also serve as an alternative should Kusal Perera falter at the top. Avishka, once considered among the most explosive batters in the side, finds himself omitted from both limited overs squads after a string of underwhelming performances.
Hasaranga’s absence through injury has forced the selectors into further adjustments. All-rounder Dushan Hemantha has been handed an opportunity to stake his claim as Hasaranga’s understudy. The leg-spinning all-rounder remains central to Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup hopes, but his current rest period underlines the need for adequate cover.
There is better news in the fast bowling department, where Dushmantha Chameera returns after missing the Bangladesh T20 series. He replaces Eshan Malinga, who is struggling for form. Chameera’s pace and experience will be complemented by Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana and Binura Fernando. In a forward-looking move, selectors have also included domestic sensation Vishan Halambage as an additional player, signalling their intent to fast-track emerging talent into the national fold.
For Sri Lanka, the Zimbabwe series is less about the scoreline and more about the questions that need answering. Can Mishara or Nuwanidu secure permanent roles? Can Hemantha genuinely fill the void should Hasaranga be unavailable again? Most importantly, can this unsettled squad, which has struggled for rhythm during recent months, finally find clarity and cohesion before stepping into a tournament where hesitation will prove costly?
The leadership mantle now weighs heavily on Charith Asalanka. The captain must juggle the responsibility of integrating younger faces while ensuring momentum is not compromised in the lead-up to Dubai. Senior players such as Kusal Perera will be under the microscope, their form being crucial both for stability and for setting standards. Meanwhile, the newcomers face what could prove to be career-defining opportunities.
By contrast, the ODI squad bears a more settled look, with selectors making only minor adjustments from the group that played against Bangladesh in July. The middle order, historically a vulnerable area for Sri Lanka, has been bolstered by the inclusion of Nuwanidu Fernando and Pavan Ratnayake, who add depth and versatility to the batting line-up.
Asalanka leads a familiar core that includes Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage and Maheesh Theekshana. The pace attack remains formidable, spearheaded by Dilshan Madushanka and Dushmantha Chameera, with Asitha Fernando and Milan Rathnayake providing strong back-up options.
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