Charith Asalanka Expresses Regret Over Missing Champions Trophy; Focus Shifts to Crucial NZ Tour

New Delhi, Dec 27 (NationPress) Sri Lanka's white-ball captain Charith Asalanka acknowledged the disappointment of not securing a spot in the Champions Trophy, but he stressed that the upcoming tour of New Zealand is their primary focus to restore their reputation on the global cricket scene.

Sri Lanka is set to compete in three T20Is and an equal number of ODIs before facing the Kiwis in a two-Test series. The first T20I of the white-ball segment will take place in Mount Maunganui on Saturday.

The prestigious eight-team Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled from February 19 in Pakistan and Dubai. Unfortunately, Sri Lanka will not be part of this major tournament due to their subpar performance in last year's ODI World Cup held in India.

As the host nation, Pakistan automatically qualified for the tournament, while the other seven spots were filled based on team performances in the 2023 ODI World Cup, which required a top-eight finish. India was the first to qualify, followed by Australia and New Zealand. In a surprising twist, Sri Lanka, known for their strong cricketing history, failed to qualify, finishing in ninth place.

"I think, to be honest, it's a little disappointing about missing the Champions Trophy, but dwelling on the past won't help us. We need to accept what happened and focus on our current process. With the way our players, support staff, and coach are working, I feel optimistic. We must continue to progress and perform," Asalanka told IANS in anticipation of the New Zealand series.

Despite past challenges, Sri Lanka remains optimistic about the upcoming tests, starting with the tour of New Zealand. The all-rounder mentioned that their main aim is to win the series against the formidable New Zealand team in their home turf.

"Our goal is to secure this series. We all understand that New Zealand is a strong opponent, and as captain, I aim to elicit 100 percent effort from my players. I want to ensure they feel comfortable and ready to perform in high-pressure situations," he stated.

Asalanka also praised the strength of their squad, which includes consistent players like Wanindu Hasaranga, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, and Maheesh Theekshana.

"While we don’t have many new players, those currently in the team, such as Wanindu, Maheesh, Pathum Nissanka, and Kusal Mendis, are performing well. I believe our squad of 15 players is strong and in good form," he commented.

Sri Lanka recently won the ODI series 2-0 against New Zealand in Pallekele, while their two-match T20I series ended in a 1-1 draw. Asalanka feels that execution will be crucial to outperforming the Kiwis in their home ground.

"As previously mentioned, it is quite challenging, but our success hinges on execution. Our execution must be top-notch, as conditions here differ from those in Sri Lanka. We need to adapt quickly to these conditions, as bounce variations are not the same. We have a few practice sessions planned, and the players are adapting well," Asalanka explained.

When asked about the differences in conditions between New Zealand and Sri Lanka, Asalanka noted, "Particularly with fast bowlers, the length may need to be slightly shorter than what we are used to at home. The options available to batters are also different, and we need to adjust to the bounce and seam movement. We played a practice match in Christchurch and have several training sessions lined up before the first game."

Despite recent setbacks, Asalanka is hopeful for Sri Lanka to reclaim their status in international cricket, emphasizing that the journey has already begun.

"This is an ongoing journey for our team. Two to three years ago, we struggled to perform to expectations, but currently, I believe we are on the right path and have had several good series at home. This presents a significant opportunity for us to demonstrate to the world how confident and capable the Sri Lankan team is now. Although it’s a tough challenge, we must seize these opportunities," Asalanka asserted.

Fans can catch the Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand in India on Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD starting December 28 at 11:15 AM IST.