Sri Lankan head coach predicts the favourites for the 2018 Asia Cup

The 2018 Asia Cup is set to get underway on September 15 with the first match to be played between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. There are six participating nations in the event, divided into two groups. Hong Kong recently beat hosts United Arab Emirates in the final of the qualifying round to join India and Pakistan in Group A.

The event’s marquee clash between India and Pakistan will be played in Dubai on September 19 and the two teams are likely to meet in the Super 4’s as well provided they qualify for the second round. Recently, Chandika Hathurusingha, the Sri Lankan head coach, mentioned that Pakistan are the favorites to emerge triumphant in the multi-nation tournament.

India won’t be having the services of Virat Kohli, their regular skipper, and Hathurusingha believes that the Men in Blue also have a decent chance in the event. “Pakistan are favourites for me. Pakistan are the Champions Trophy winners and they have an excellent record in UAE. India are a close second because Virat Kohli is not there,” Hathurasingha was quoted as saying in PakPassion.

A tough road ahead for Lanka

In the meantime, Hathurusingha will also wish for his team to perform well. Last time around, they only managed to win one match against the UAE and went on to lose against India, Pakistan and Bangladesh to finish fourth in the points table. Angelo Matthews and Co will now be hoping to turn their fortunes around and put their best foot forward in the event.

Sri Lanka have won the Asia Cup as many as five times. Their last victory came in 2014. The Lankans last assignment was their ODI and T20I series against South Africa. The home team lost the first three matches after which they won the last two encounters and then the 20-overs fixture.

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