If there was one positive from Sri Lanka’s defeat to England in the first T20I, it was how well their bowlers kept England’s batters in check on a batter-friendly surface. Particularly Matheesha Pathirana.

Pathirana, the 23-year-old slinger, returned figures of 1 for 18 across his four overs – and it might have been two had Pathum Nissanka not grassed a chance in the deep – but his impact was immense, as evident in ESPNcricinfo’s MVP index, where he was only behind Adil Rashid, whose 3 for 19 ripped through Sri Lanka’s batting.

The target of 134 off 17 overs (later revised to 115 in 15) proved too low to defend, but the margin of defeat – 11-runs via DLS – was not as wide as it might have been given the nature of the pitch.

With another home World Cup less than ten days away, the drums are already rolling across the island and the mood is unmistakably festive. Sri Lanka have been down this road before. In 2011 and 2012, the country staged back-to-back global events that were box-office successes, finals appearances for the home side and the unveiling of three new stadiums with capacities north of 30,000, even if Hambantota later came to be labelled, rather unkindly, a white elephant.

Ticket frenzies during those tournaments prompted Sri Lanka Cricket to float an ambitious 60,000-seat stadium at Diyagama, a plan that was eventually bowled out amid protests from former players. Yet, stripped of sentiment, the logic remains hard to dispute. Demand, especially for marquee clashes like India versus Pakistan, continues to be off the charts.

The hospitality sector is already cashing in. A five-star Colombo hotel room that usually goes for USD 150 at this time of the year is now fetching upwards of USD 500, with some properties touching USD 800. Most are sold out. It underlines just how much appetite there is for cricket between two nuclear-armed neighbours who remain at daggers drawn off the field but irresistible on it.

There is also a larger strategic play for Sri Lanka. Given the geopolitics of the region; India unlikely to tour Pakistan or Bangladesh, and vice versa, the island increasingly shapes up as the neutral venue of choice. Dubai offers an alternative, but the Gulf’s extreme heat and eye-watering costs make Sri Lanka a more practical option. Recent moves to add floodlights at SSC and CCC are steps in the right direction and could pave the way for more Asian Cricket Council and ICC events coming Colombo’s way.

On the field, expectations are cautiously optimistic. Sri Lanka should fancy their chances of getting past the first hurdle. Drawn in Group B alongside Australia, Oman, Ireland and Zimbabwe, Dasun Shanaka’s side ought to cruise through the group stage. The real examination will come in the Super Eight phase, where the margins shrink.

Much will hinge on Pathum Nissanka, Sri Lanka’s most consistent run getter over the past 24 months. He has not been in full flow of late, but if he finds his rhythm, the hosts can be a handful. Kusal Mendis is also firing on all cylinders and this could be the tournament where he truly leaves his mark. After initially signalling that he was not in their plans, selectors have had a rethink and brought back Kusal Janith Perera, a move that adds experience to the top order.

The soft underbelly remains power-hitting. The middle order lacks a batter who can routinely muscle attacks at the death. Captain Dasun Shanaka can plug that gap on his day, but consistency and his struggles against spin remain question marks.

Bowling, however, is Sri Lanka’s trump card. If the batters can put something respectable on the board, the attack has the tools to defend it. Dushmantha Chameera brings pace and accuracy, Matheesha Pathirana is a nightmare to line up with his awkward, slingy action, while Maheesh Theekshana remains notoriously hard to read. And then there is Wanindu Hasaranga, a genuine match-winner whom opponents approach with extreme caution.

All told, Sri Lanka look a well-balanced outfit on home turf. If a few pieces fall into place, don’t be surprised if they end up upsetting a few established orders before this World Cup is done and dusted.

Rex Clementine at Pallekele