Top 3 players to watch from Sri Lanka ahead of Asia Cup 2025

Sri Lanka was the winner of the Men’s T20 Asia Cup during the 2022 season in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) when they went through a famous performance in the campaign. They beat Bangladesh in the group stage of the event, besides earning the victory over Afghanistan in the Super Four, along with wins over India and Pakistan.

Sri Lanka, under the captaincy of Charith Asalanka, is coming into the event on the back of their 2-1 series victory against Zimbabwe away from home. They lost the second fixture of the series when they were bundled out for a low score in the first innings of the game, before showing a huge score 24 hours later.

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Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup 2025 squad- Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Nuwaindu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana.

Sri Lanka will start their campaign on September 13 against Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi before locking horns with Hong Kong in Dubai two days later.

Let’s take a look at the top 3 players to watch from Sri Lanka ahead of the Asia Cup 2025

3. Wanindu Hasaranga

The 28-year-old spin all-rounder of Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, has been a regular member of the shortest format due to his incredible skill of bowling and batting in the lower order. He, however, was absent during the away T20I series against Zimbabwe and last featured in a T20 in June for the Colombo CC side.

Hasaranga has picked up 131 wickets in 77 T20 innings at an average of 15.41, a strike rate of 13.2, and an economy rate of under seven. With the bat, the right-handed batter has smashed 712 runs in 67 T20I innings at a strike rate of around 129.

On the other hand, the veteran has notched up 2402 runs in 174 innings in T20s at an average of 17.28 and a strike rate of 144, thanks to nine half-centuries at the best score of unbeaten 77 runs. In the bowling department, he bagged 317 scalps in 218 innings at an economy rate of seven. His experience will also be vital for Sri Lanka.

2. Matheesha Pathirana

The 22-year-old right-arm pacer from the Sri Lanka side, Matheesha Pathirana, has used his slingy action like the former great, Lasith Malinga, to earn success in the death overs. He has also used his variations and the slower deliveries to fox the batters, which has always been beneficial for the side.

In 19 T20I innings, Pathirana has picked up 31 wickets at an average of 16.90, a strike rate of 11.8, and an economy rate of 8.54 with the best T20I figures of 4/24 in an innings. In the overall shortest format, he has collected 132 wickets in 97 T20s at an average of 21.14 and an economy rate of 8.59, thanks to the best of 4/20 in an innings.

During the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Chennai Super Kings, Pathirana struggled for 13 wickets in 12 innings at an average of 32.61 and an economy rate of over 10, which is a concern for the management of the Sri Lanka side.

1. Kamindu Mendis

The 26-year-old Sri Lankan spin all-rounder, Kamindu Mendis, has been a crucial member of the shortest format in the T20I series against Zimbabwe away from home. The southpaw has smashed 443 runs in 24 T20I innings at an average of 20.13 and a strike rate of 128.03, scoring two fifties at the best score of unbeaten 65 runs.

Mendis, in the overall shortest formats, has clubbed 2194 runs in 92 innings at an average of more than 27 and a strike rate of 130.20 with 13 fifties. Mendis has contributed well in the lower middle order besides providing four overs of his innings.

In the Asia Cup 2025, Mendis will bring the best balance in the side as Sri Lanka can aim to go for their successive title in the shortest format.