World Cup 2023: Sri Lanka preview – Qualifying survivors enter main draw

One of the most dominant teams in the history of ODI cricket has lost its magic on the global stage in the recent past. The team won the tournament in 1996 and played finals in 2007 and 2011 but since the players of their golden generation called their time, the Lankan Lions haven’t been the same. So much so that the team failed to earn direct qualification for the 2023 ODI World Cup. They played the qualifiers in Zimbabwe and won it to make it to the finals in India. Meanwhile, two of their prominent stars in the form of Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmanta Chameera will be missing the upcoming tournament owing to injuries.

Past World Cup performances

After winning the 1996 World Cup, Sri Lanka had a disastrous tournament in the 1999 edition. In 2003, they qualified for the semi-finals, while in 2007 and 2011, the Lankan Lions qualified for the finals. In 2015, they were knocked out in the Quarter Finals, while they failed to qualify for the semi-finals in the 2019 edition.

Prominent World Cup Stat

Sri Lanka were undefeated in their 1996 ODI World Cup. A couple of their matches were called off as the visiting teams didn’t travel to Sri Lanka and that added to the advantage. Notably, they defeated India in the semi-finals in Kolkata while winning by seven wickets against Australia on the night of the finals in Lahore.

Squad

Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (vc), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka

Schedule