Dasun Shanaka likely to step down as Sri Lanka captain ahead of Cricket World Cup 2023: Reports

Dasun Shanaka would step down as Sri Lanka's captain before the eagerly anticipated ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, according to reports by RevSportz. The marquee event is set to take place in 10 venues across India from October 5 to November 19. Sri Lanka will kickstart their campaign against South Africa on October 7 at the Arun Jaitely Stadium in Delhi.

Shanaka, one of the best all-rounders in the Sri Lankan team, has played a major role in making the side into a formidable unit. The Sri Lanka Cricket's decision will be made, nevertheless, in light of the team's dismal outing in the recently-concluded Asia Cup final in Colombo. Notably, Sri Lanka suffered a humiliating 10-wicket defeat against India in the summit clash and thereby failed to win the continental championship title in a row.

Moreover, Shanaka has had a dismal season individually, despite the team's performance throughout the 16th edition of the Asia Cup. In six games, the 32-year-old all-rounder has only managed to score 54 runs.

#DasunShanaka could step down as #SL captain ahead of #CWC. pic.twitter.com/wVIzmOFq2i

— RevSportz (@RevSportz) September 20, 2023

Angelo Mathews likely to be named in Sri Lanka's World Cup squad

Angelo Mathews, a veteran all-rounder, is expected to be named in Sri Lanka's ODI World Cup 2023 roster. Despite his remarkable ODI record, the 36-year-old had not participated in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier, which was held in Zimbabwe in June 2023.

🚨Angelo Mathews likely to be named in Sri Lanka's ODI World Cup squad. #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/hGXOQ3ANok

— RevSportz (@RevSportz) September 20, 2023

The seasoned middle-order batter has scored 5865 runs in 221 ODIs, at an average of 41.01 and a strike rate of 83.09. He has three hundreds and 40 half-centuries in the format, with an unbeaten 139 as his best. He was also a terrific bowler, taking 120 wickets, and became one of only 22 players in history to have scored over 5,000 runs and taken over 100 wickets.

Also Check: Most Runs in Cricket World Cup 2023

In addition, Mathews was Sri Lanka's second-leading run scorer in the 2019 World Cup, trailing only Kusal Perera. In the tournament, he amassed 244 runs in seven games at an average of 40.66, including a hundred against India.