Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka said on Wednesday the defending champions will challenge every team in the Asia Cup despite injuries to several key players.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sri Lanka, co-hosting the tournament with Pakistan, face Bangladesh on Thursday after injuries forced them to drop two key players at the last minute.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
They won the tournament in the T20 format last year but it reverts to the ODI format as a prelude to the 50-over World Cup in India, which starts on October 5.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We are playing in our backyard, so have the home advantage," Shanaka told reporters in Pallekele.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"There are a few players not participating due to injury but still I think we have got a pretty good side who can challenge all the teams."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga and fast-bowler Dushmantha Chameera will sit out the tournament after being named in the original 15-member squad but Shanaka said his team remained confident.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"There is no pressure at all," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sri Lanka were underdogs at the previous Asia Cup in Dubai and were expected to bow out after losing their opening match to Afghanistan.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Interest this year remains focused on the rivalry between India and Pakistan, with potential for Asian cricket's two giants to face each other three times before the World Cup.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan was unfazed by the India-Pakistan hype.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"They are the favourites, so people will talk about them more," Shakib said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"But having said that, Sri Lanka have won the Asia Cup plenty of times, so they are one of the favourites."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
- Bangladesh 'calmer' -<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bangladesh have made the Asia Cup final three times but are still searching for their first trophy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Emotions have often hampered Bangladesh's performance, which Shakib acknowledged was the case in Dubai last year.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Emotion-wise we have to play the game and see where we are at this moment," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I think the dressing room is calmer and that is a good thing."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Star all-rounder Shakib said a good performance would raise their expectations ahead of the World Cup.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Asia Cup is not a small tournament, it has history, it has some big games," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n