At T20 World Cup 2026: Hussain backs Lanka to shine

Ex-England captain and international cricket commentator Nasser Hussain believes Sri Lanka are well placed to exceed expectations at the forthcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

He has cited a settled core of players and the country’s enduring ability to produce top-level talent as reasons for the former champions to make an impression in a global event after a lean run of form.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Hussain said the current Sri Lankan side appears ready to translate potential into performance after several years of inconsistency at major ICC events. 

According to him, continuity in selection and growing experience within the squad could prove decisive.

“It feels like the right sort of time to deliver for this core of players that they’ve stuck with,” Hussain said, expressing confidence that the team’s patience may finally pay off on the international stage.

Hussain also highlighted Sri Lanka’s strong cricketing foundations, pointing to a well-established youth and domestic structure that continues to nurture high-quality players across the country. 

From Colombo to Galle and Kandy, he noted, the game remains deeply embedded in the sporting culture.

“You have to go there and watch and be around Colombo and Galle and Kandy and see the youth structure,” he said. “They still will produce this conveyor belt of talent.”

While Sri Lanka have struggled to consistently reach the latter stages of recent ICC tournaments, Hussain believes the upcoming World Cup could mark a turning point. 

He suggested that past underachievement may serve as motivation rather than a burden for a talented but sometimes unpredictable group.

“I just think this is the right time for this set of players who are talented but have not always been consistent,” he said, adding that he has a strong feeling Sri Lanka will perform better than many anticipate.

Hussain also warned against writing off Sri Lanka as focus centres on traditional powerhouses such as India, Australia, South Africa and England, who have regularly reached knockout stages.

“Those sides dominate the conversation,” he said. “You do not often mention Sri Lanka in that bracket.”

With familiar conditions, experienced campaigners and renewed belief, Sri Lanka could emerge as one of the surprise packages of the tournament, he opined.

Source - The Morning