Sri Lanka cricket team for the Hong Kong Cricket sixes left yesterday for this three day tournament which will be held from November 7 to -9 at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground Hong Kong.
Going back to the history of previous 20 editions Pakistan, England and South Africa are the most successful teams of the tournament, having won 5 titles each. Sri Lanka won 2 titles and Australia, India and West Indies have won one title each.
Sri Lanka team first time won the championships in 2007 under the leadership of Indika de Saram while last year 2024 Sri Lanka won the title under the captaincy of Lahiru Madushanka who is going to lead the team for the second time this year to defend the title.
The all rounder Lahiru Madushanka will lead the side once again while Dhananjaya Lakshan, Thanuka Dabare, Nimesh Vimukthi, Lahiru Samarakoon , Tharindu Ratnayake retained their places for Hong Kong sixes tournament while Sachitha Jayathilaka will make his debut with stand by player Movin Subasinghe . The top order batter Tanuka Dabare has been named as wicket keeper of the side.
Last year Sri Lanka won the championship defeating Pakistan in the final while Dhananjaya Lakshan was named as player of the final and most successful bowler Tharindu Ratnayake was named as player of the tournament. Ratnayake the ambidextrous spinner took 8 wickets last year. The tournament will feature 12 teams England, Australia, South Africa, UAE, Nepal, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Kuwait and host Hong Kong divided into four pools, each containing three teams. After the round-robin stage, the top two teams from each group will compete in the Cup finals round, while all third-placed teams will play in the Bowl League finals.
Sri Lanka will meet Hong King in their opening game on November 7 followed by Sri Lanka – Bangladesh match on the same day.