Basketball: Sri Lanka team for FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers in Bahrain

The Sri Lanka basketball team got a boost ahead of their FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers with a multinational company based in Singapore and Malaysia Gaja Holding coming in as long-term partners of the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation (SLBF).

However, Sri Lanka face a tough task of qualifying for the FIBA Asia Cup when they come up against Jordan, Palestine and Kazakhstan when they third window of qualifiers take place from February 17 to 21.

Sri Lanka suffered heavy defeats in away matches at the hands of Palestine (102-60) and Jordan (100-45) in February 2020 during the first window of matches in Group 'F'. 

They were to play Kazakhstan at home in November but the second window got cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result, Sri Lanka will play Kazakhstan twice on February 18 and 22 while taking on Jordan (19) and Palestine (21) in Manama where the competition will be conducted in a bio secure bubble.

After three windows, the top two teams from each of the six groups will qualify for the FIBA Asia Cup 2021. 

The six third-placed teams will advance to play a final qualifying tournament with the top four from this tournament advancing to the FIBA Asia Cup 2021.

The three new players in the squad are Asanga Mahesh, Dilshan Fernando and Rashan Perera.

The Sri Lanka tour squad: Clinton Stallone (captain), Dasun Nilantha, Pawan Gamage, Grent Arnold, Nimesh Fernando, Nipun Kiriella, Dilshan Fernando, Asanka Mahesh, Saindu Gajanayake, Rashan Perera, Chanuka Fernanod, Rukshan Athapapttu.

Officials: Susil Udukumbura (Head Coach), Ranura Nanayakkara (Asst Coach), Duminda de Silva (Trainer), Clifford Surendran (Manager)