Sri Lanka qualified for the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 by virtue of qualifying for the Super 12 in the 2021 edition. However, since they were outside the top eight on the stipulated cut-off date of November 15, 2021, they will have to qualify for the Super 12 yet again. This time they have been grouped with Namibia, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates in Group A.

However, a win in the 2022 Asia Cup, in September, provided Sri Lanka with substantial boost, especially after they had lost all three bilateral series this year – 1-3 in Australia, 0-3 in India, and 1-2 against Australia at home. They had even lost their opening match of the Asia Cup, against Afghanistan, before they won five matches on the trot to lift the title. At this point, their annual record stands at seven wins, nine defeats.

Sri Lanka will rely on Wanindu Hasaranga, the sixth-rank bowler and fourth-ranked all-rounder in the world as per the ICC rankings. He will be backed by a cohort of all-rounders, including captain Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Chamika Karunaratne. They have further been boosted by the return of fast bowlers Dushmantha Chameera and Lahiru Kumara, both of whom had missed the World Cup with injuries.

Sri Lanka will play all their First Round matches at the Kardinia Park in Geelong. They will face Namibia on October 16, the UAE on October 18 (their only day-nighter), and the Netherlands on October 20. If they top the group, they will be pooled with Australia, England, New Zealand, and Afghanistan in Group 1 of the Super 12. If they finish second, they will join India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and South Africa in Group 2.

T20 World Cup 2022, Sri Lanka schedule: Fixture list and match timings

(All timings are in local time)

1st match, Sri Lanka v Namibia, October 16, Kardinia Park, Geelong, 3pm
2nd match, Sri Lanka v UAE, October 18, Kardinia Park, Geelong, 7pm
3rd match, Australia v Netherlands, October 20, Kardinia Park, Geelong, 3pm