Predicted Sri Lanka Playing XI vs Hong Kong: Matheesha Pathirana to get dropped for Theekshana?

Sri Lanka have played their only match in the Asia Cup in Abu Dhabi. In Dubai, they are likely to drop one pacer for a spinner.

Defeating Bangladesh has made life easy for Sri Lanka. The reigning Asia Cup champions were placed in the group of death alongside Afghanistan. Only two of these teams were to go through to the Super Four stage. But by beating Bangladesh, Sri Lanka have made that road easy.

The Charith Asalanka-led side will face Hong Kong later today at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. A victory would virtually take them through. Since Bangladesh has played against Hong Kong, they have just one match left; that’s against Afghanistan. Sri Lanka should beat Hong Kong, and just on the basis of having a good net run rate (NRR), it should qualify.

Struggling Pathirana out

Hong Kong has shown a fight with the ball, but their batting has disappointed them. Sri Lanka will challenge them in this regard. But nothing without a change. Matheesha Pathirana, who gave away 42 runs in 4 overs against Bangladesh, will, in all likelihood, get dropped.

Since changing his action, the unorthodox pacer has struggled. But Pathirana won’t be dropped just on the basis of his poor performances. The change will be made due to the Dubai pitch. We have seen spinners rule the roost there. India and Pakistan have played two matches there, and played just one frontline pacer.

Theekshana for the Dubai pitch?

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka played against Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi with three frontline fast bowlers. That can’t happen in Dubai against Hong Kong. Such has been the performance of Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara that they won’t get dropped. So, it’ll have to be Pathirana who has to go out.

Wanindu Hasaranga is the only frontline spinner the Lankan Lions have played with. Kamindu Mendis and Charith Asalanka can chip in, but they’ll need another main spinner. It would likely be Maheesh Theekshana who comes in. The mystery spinner would be tough to read for Hong Kong batters. It’ll also be good preparation for the Super Four stage, as most of the remaining matches will be played in Dubai.

Predicted Sri Lanka Playing XI vs Hong Kong

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Kamil Mishara, Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara

Bench: Nuwanidu Fernando, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Binura Fernando, Matheesha Pathirana, Janith Liyanage