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Asia Cup Warning: Sri Lanka Cannot Afford More Middle-Order Failures
BY REX CLEMENTINE
Sri Lanka walk into their final Asia Cup group clash against Afghanistan on Thursday at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium with qualification all but assured. Even a defeat won’t derail their progress unless it comes by a crushing margin. But beneath the calm lies a storm: the team’s middle-order batting fragility is giving the management sleepless nights.
Openers Shine, Bowlers Deliver
Pathum Nissanka has led from the front, cementing his place among the world’s top six T20I batters. At the other end of the equation, the bowling looks menacing with Wanindu Hasaranga and Nuwan Thushara, both ranked inside the ICC’s top ten T20I bowlers. On paper, Sri Lanka appear well-balanced. Yet the heart of the batting—the middle order—remains a glaring weakness.
Warning Signs Against Hong Kong
The cracks were laid bare in their last outing. Chasing 150 against Hong Kong, Sri Lanka were cruising at 119 for two. Then, in a sudden implosion, four wickets tumbled for eight runs, leaving them staggering at 127 for six. Though they scrambled home with seven balls to spare, the collapse was a stark reminder of vulnerabilities that stronger opponents will ruthlessly exploit.
Spin Trouble the Root Cause
The Achilles heel is no secret—Sri Lanka struggle against spin. Dot-ball pressure builds, rotation dries up, and desperate attempts to slog bring about soft dismissals. Power hitting, never the islanders’ strength since Sanath Jayasuriya’s era, is missing. Even during their 2014 T20 World Cup triumph, their success stemmed from placement, quick singles and clever manoeuvring. That art seems lost on today’s side.
Stats expose the imbalance: this year, Sri Lanka strike at 145 against pace but crawl at 105 against spin. Sweeps and reverse sweeps have been attempted, but too often they backfire, leaving the team in deeper holes.
New Roles, Old Problems
Kusal Janith Perera, the only survivor from the 2014 golden run, has been tasked with stabilising at number four. But the move has yet to yield results. Former skipper Dasun Shanaka admitted the Hong Kong scare triggered intense dressing-room discussions.
“We had a good chat at the team meeting. We spoke about what options we could have taken against the spinners. Mistakes were made, but I’m confident the batting group will find solutions.”
Time Running Out
With India looming in the next stage, armed with a formidable spin arsenal, Sri Lanka have little time to fix their shortcomings. Unless their middle order finds answers, their Asia Cup journey risks being derailed not by pace or power, but by the oldest foe in subcontinental cricket — spin.
Latest News
IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
The IMF Executive Board approved emergency financing under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI), providing Sri Lanka with immediate access to SDR 150.5 million (about US$206 million,
equivalent to 26 percent of quota) to help Sri Lanka address the urgent needs arising from the catastrophic Cyclone Ditwah and preserve macroeconomic stability.
In response to severe weather impacts, the Sri Lanka Navy conducted a diving and technical assistance operation on Friday (19 Dec 25) to clear major debris obstructing vital infrastructure.
Heavy rainfall caused a significant rise in the water level of the Mahaweli River, washed large quantities of debris, including logs and bamboo, downstream. These remain lodged in the Diyakapanathota in Gatambe, Peradeniya and Lewella bridges, obstructing the smooth flow of water.
Acting promptly upon request, a Navy diving team executed a coordinated operation in collaboration with the Road Development Authority. The team removed the accumulated debris, restoring normal water flow through the bridges.
Latest News
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the Landslide Early Warning issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya till 08:00AM on Sunday (21st December 2025)
The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Medadumbara, Doluwa, Ududumbara and Minipe in the Kandy district, and Nildandahinna, Hanguranketha, Mathurata and
Walapane have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have also been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Passara, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Lunugala and Kandeketiya in the Badulla district, Thumpane, Harispattuwa, Udapalatha, Kundasale, Akurana, Poojapitiya, Udunuwara, Pathadumbara, Pasbage Korale, Gangawata Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Panvila, Pathahewaheta and Deltota in the Kandy district, Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, Ukuwela, Naula, Matale, Ambanganga Korale, Rattota, Pallepola, Wilgamuwa, Yatawatta and Laggala Pallegama in the Matale district, and Nuwara-Eliya in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Welimada, Haputhale, Haldummulla, Ella and
Bandarawela in the Badulla district, Alawwa, Mallawapitiya,
Polgahawela and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Kothmale East, Ambagamuwa Korale, Kothmale West, Thalawakele and Norwood in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
Navy clears major bridge obstructions in Peradeniya and Lewella
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
Trump says US launched large-scale attacks on ISIL in Syria
Showers will occur in the Eastern, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva and Central provinces and in Polonnaruwa district
PM says govt. will introduce a new Constitution to abolish executive presidency
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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