First, their performance in the past two years. Sri Lanka sits squarely in the middle of the pack (6th) regarding the economy over the past two years.
Sri Lanka are a bit better regarding strike rate of 16.73 (4th).
Sri Lanka is one of the top spinning teams in the world.
They rank second in economy and strike rate.
They rival India (3rd in economy; 1st in strike rate) and Afghanistan (3rd in strike rate; 1st in economy) for the world’s most productive spin department title.
The same cannot be said about Sri Lanka's pace unit.
Though they have a solid strike rate of 16.40 (6th), they leak runs at an average of 9.15 runs an over, good for 8th out of the 10 teams compared.
Sri Lankan bowlers have struggled in the powerplay; they have been neither particularly economical nor incisive in the crucial phase of the game.
They rank 6th in terms of economy (7.88) and 7th in strike rate (20.14). They need significant improvement here.
Given the quality of their spin attack, Sri Lanka’s middle-over performance is surprising.
They are 5th in economy (7.93) and 9th in strike rate (21.02), ahead of only Bangladesh.
Surprisingly, Sri Lanka has been an excellent death-bowling team.
They rank 5th in the economy (10.04) and top the table with an incredible strike rate of 8.39!!!
Sri Lanka's spinners have been key here.
They rank 2nd in economy (7.36) and first in strike rate (7.6).
Over the past two years, SL has been right about average for a top-10 team. But some caveats apply.
Injuries to their fast bowlers (13 seamers used) have meant that they have rarely used their best attack.
The addition of Pathirana will also be a big boost to the squad.
Now for individual bowlers:
1) Theekshana Strengths:
Economical in all phases of the innings. Tons of experience bowling in the powerplay.
A valuable asset in the death overs with 7.56 economy! Weaknesses:
Not really a wicket-taking bowler in any phase of the innings.
2) Hasaranga Strengths:
A force in the middle overs. If called upon, bowl and take wickets at any stage of the innings (28 wickets at the death with a strike rate of 6.3).
Googly makes him a match-up nightmare for RHBs.
Weaknesses: It can be a tad expensive at times.
3) Wellalage Strengths:
A very economical bowler with good defensive skills.
Very effective in the early part of the middle overs. Very good against RHBs.
Weaknesses: He has yet to make his T20 debut for Sri Lanka. Struggles a bit more towards the back end of the innings.
4) Chameera Strengths:
Can bowl in all phases of the innings.
A productive powerplay bowler who can take wickets and keep it reasonably economical.
Weaknesses:
Not a wicket-taker in the middle overs. Expensive at the death. Does not offer much against LHBs.
5) Pathirana Strengths:
Absolutely outstanding at the death.
A good strike bowler is in the middle overs, too. Equally incisive against LHBs and RHBs.
Weaknesses: He has not bowled in the power play much. It can be a tad expensive.
6) Madushanka Strengths:
A bowler who can take wickets at any stage of the innings.
Penetrative at the death. Equally at home against LHBs and RHBs.
Weaknesses: His powerplay numbers are underwhelming for a left-arm quick who can swing the ball. Very expensive.
7) Thushara Strengths:
A strike bowler. A capable death bowler with a good strike rate and an acceptable economy.
Wicket-taking options against both LHBs and RHBs.
Weaknesses: Does not bowl in the middle overs. A tad expensive.
Sri Lanka has many good options in the middle and death overs. But they are still looking for someone to step up in the power play.
If they can find someone who can make consistent breakthroughs in the PP, they will be a very dangerous bowling side.
I personally advocate going 6-5 with Hasaranga, Theekshana, Pathirana, Thushara, and one of Chameera, Madushanka, or Wella (depending on conditions, opposition weaknesses, and form).
