Twenty20 World Cup Cricket 2007: Profile of Sri Lankan Cricketers

Sri Lanka is one of the strong team of South Asia. They won ICC World at 1996. They are also a strong team for Twenty20 World Cup Championship which will take place in South Africa form 11 September. A bad new for them that Muthiah Muralidharan will not attend on Twenty20 World Cup 2007. It is a big anxiety for Sri Lanka.

Mahela Jayawardene (captain)

The Sri Lanka captain is a technically gifted batsman whose form has dipped over the past few months. In three Twenty20 international appearances before this tournament he has struggled, managing only 11 runs at 5.50. Maker of Sri Lanka's highest Test score - a magnificent 374 against South Africa in Colombo in 2006.

Dilharo Fernando

A hugely-promising bowler with the potential to be better but for a career blighted by injury. Suffered two stress fractures of the back in a year, but forced his way back into the Sri Lanka side both times. Offers genuine pace, but can too often be erratic and can leak runs at an alarming rate. Has a good record in his three Twenty20 international appearances so far picking up four wickets at under 20s.

Hasantha Fernando

Recalled to international cricket after performing well in Sri Lanka's domestic Twenty20 competition - the SLC Premier Twenty20 Cricket tournament. In his 16 matches for the Sebastianities Cricket and Athletics club, the all-rounder has taken 15 wickets at better than 20 with his seam bowling and has scored 278 runs at an average of 22.86 as he looks to make quick runs down the order.

Kaushal Lokuarachchi

An all-rounder who bowls legspin, Lokuarachchi is another player who has impressed in domestic Twenty20 action. In his eight matches for Sinhalese Sports Club he has picked up 134 wickets at under 12s and has also scored runs at the death for his side. Has impressed for Sri Lanka's A side and will now be hoping to cement a permanent place in international cricket.

Sanath Jayasuriya

A genuine all-rounder in shorter forms of the game, Jayasuriya's left-arm spin proves surprisingly effective with variations in pace and flight causing problems for most. But it is as a destructive opening batsman he is better known and in his Twenty20 career so far he has scored his runs at a strike rate of over 158. Has experience in county cricket of Twenty20 with Lancashire.

Farveez Maharoof

An exciting young quick who has the potential to be a genuine all-rounder if he can peform more consistently with the bat. Has made 72 ODI appearances during which time he has peformed well with the ball, picking up 90 wickets at under 26s. Has limited Twenty20 experience but his ability to perform well under pressure should help in this form of the game.

Lasith Malinga

His uncomplicated strategy - bowling very fast and very straight - should make him an ideal death bowler in this form of the game. Malinga played in Kent's winning Twenty20 Cup side this year, although he didn't have the same impact as he did at the World Cup in the West Indies where he claimed four wickets in four balls against South Africa.

Jehan Mubarak

A graceful left-hander who will need to deliver on his undoubted promise if he is to keep his place in the Sri Lanka side. Has performed well in domestic Twenty20 cricket for Colombo, scoring at an average of 37.42 in his eight appearances to date. Also a useful offspinner and excellent in the field, Mubarak could excel in this tournament.

Dilruwan Perera

Called up as a late replacement for Muttiah Muralitharan after Murali suffered a bicep injury playing for Lancashire against Kent in the County Championship. Has never played international cricket but is well known as a promising offspinner after performing well at the Sri Lanka spin academy. Has performed well with the ball in domestic Twenty20 cricket for Panadura Sports Club.

Kumar Sangakkara

One of the best wicketkeeper-batsman around, who has impressed in both Test and ODI cricket. Has played three Twenty20 internationals but so far has failed to adapt to the shorter form of the game. But Sangakkara is a player of undoubted world-class and should come to terms with this format soon enough.

Chamara Silva

Silva's call-up to the national side in 1999 was thought by many to be long overdue after heavy scoring in domestic cricket, but since then he has not managed to hold down a regular place in the side, despite a cracking start to his Test career. Has played little Twenty20 cricket so will need to adapt quickly if he is to be successful in this tournament, although he performed well in the World Cup.

Upul Tharanga

An opening batsman who has produced some fantastic innings in ODI cricket, including a century at Lord's against England in 2006. Has made three international Twenty20 appearances but so far has failed to adapt to the shorter form of the game. A capable back-up wicketkeeper who played league cricket in Essex earlier in his career.

Tillakaratne Dilshan

Never quite holding down a regular place in the side, Dilshan is nevertheless a useful man to have around. Pretty much a complete cricketer, he is a steady if unspectacular batsman, bowls useful off-breaks and is lightning fast in the field. Has played two Twenty20 internationals and will be hoping to cement a regular place in the side during this tournament.

Chaminda Vaas

One of Sri Lanka's most dependable performers, Vaas may have lost a yard of pace but he remains a great new-ball threat. With his signature in-dipper, he keeps a tight line and remains perhaps the most under-rated bowler in international cricket. Has played little Twenty20 cricket but should be able to adapt and also provide useful runs down the order.

Gayan Wijekoon

Is an all-rounder of considerable promise who after playing two Test matches against the West Indies in 2005 has been recalled after a two-year spell away from international cricket. Has played eight Twenty20 matches in domestic cricket and impressed with both his left-arm medium pacers and useful middle-order batting.

Muthiah Muralidharan absence is a lack of Sri Lanka but not a weak team.