Wanindu Hasaranga, Sri Lanka’s match-winning leg-spin wizard, is set to play the Asia Cup opener against Bangladesh despite not being fully fit, a gamble that could decide the islanders’ fate.
Sri Lanka will place their faith in talismanic leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga when they begin their Asia Cup T20 campaign against Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, in what could be a defining early clash of the tournament.
Charith Asalanka’s team, still smarting from a 2-1 home T20 series defeat to Bangladesh in July, are determined to exact revenge. For that, they are counting on Hasaranga’s return, even at less than full fitness, to provide the spark. The 28-year-old, Sri Lanka’s leading T20 wicket-taker with 131 scalps in just 79 matches at an average of 15.41, rejoined the squad in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday along with batsman Janith Liyanage.
Carrying the aftereffects of a hamstring injury picked up during July’s ODI series against Bangladesh, his inclusion is all but certain. “I wouldn’t say he is 100 per cent at the moment,” admitted chief selector Upul Tharanga. “But we have four days before our first game and I am confident he will make it to the playing XI.” For Sri Lanka, it is a calculated gamble worth the risk.
His absence in recent weeks has been glaring. Without Hasaranga’s guile, the spin attack looked toothless, especially during the Zimbabwe tour where Maheesh Theekshana managed just two wickets across formats. Hasaranga’s value lies not only in statistics but in his ability to strangle runs in the middle overs and produce game-changing breakthroughs, the heartbeat of Sri Lanka’s modern white-ball success.
He was the architect of Pakistan’s downfall in the 2022 Asia Cup final, taking three wickets in a Player of the Tournament-winning campaign where he bagged nine wickets and scored 66 runs. In July, against Bangladesh, he again proved his worth, sparking a collapse in the opening ODI before injury forced him out of the series finale.
Hasaranga has not featured in a T20I since January’s New Zealand tour, making his comeback highly anticipated. For Bangladesh, his return is ominous. Their top order has struggled against quality leg-spin, and on the slowing Sheikh Zayed Stadium pitch, Hasaranga’s skill could wreak havoc.
The surface in Abu Dhabi is known to favour stroke play early on, but as it slows, spinners come to the forefront. This is precisely the stage where Hasaranga thrives. With Sri Lanka grouped alongside Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Hong Kong, there is no room for slip-ups. Only two teams will advance to the Super Fours, and with Afghanistan’s formidable spin unit waiting, victory in the opener could provide the momentum Sri Lanka desperately needs before facing Hong Kong on September 15 and Afghanistan on September 18.
