Saying that, there were many tipping them to win the most recent World Twenty20 in Bangladesh last year, and they delivered with a final victory over neighbours India.

The Sri Lankans, led by the ever-improving all-rounder Angelo Mathews (main photo), are an exceptional tournament side - in other words, they have the experience and know how in their ranks.

This will be the last we see of special batting duo Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena in limited overs cricket, and it does not take a rocket scientist to work out that they will be key to their hopes of glory.

It will be interesting to see how Lasith Malinga returns to international cricket after a lengthy injury lay-off, and their bowling attack is where the biggest question mark lies.

They are currently in the midst of a competitive one-day series against co-hosts New Zealand, which will do them the world of good on the back of a recent home series victory over England.

England and New Zealand are in the same pool (Pool A) as Sri Lanka, who start against the BlackCaps in the opening match of the event on February 14. Silencing the home support would be the perfect way to start and provide them with a real shot in the arm.

Sri Lanka’s squad has plenty of spin options, but you feel it is their seamers such as Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal and Dhammika Prasad who need to step up.

Badger Predicts

Sri Lanka to have a disappointing tournament and exit at the quarter-final stage. They will expect to go further, however.

Squad

Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Rangana Herath, Dimuth Karunaratne, Suranga Lakmal, Jeevan Mendis, Dhammika Prasad, Sachithra Senanayake, Lahiru Thirimanne, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Thisara Perera, Kumar Sangakkara.