Charith Asalanka is a Sri Lankan international batter and former white-ball captain who joined Biratnagar Kings as a direct overseas signing for NPL Season 3. He debuted in ODIs against England in June 2021 and in T20Is against India a month later, then was player of the series in the ODI rubber against South Africa that September. He scored 231 runs at 46.20 at the 2021 T20 World Cup and made a maiden ODI hundred against Australia in 2022. He captained Sri Lanka's white-ball sides from 2024.
In the Nepal Premier League 2026, the Kings gain a proven international batter whose experience and recent captaincy credentials add senior leadership to the squad.
About Charith Asalanka
Charith Asalanka is a Sri Lankan international batter and former white-ball captain who joined Biratnagar Kings as a direct overseas signing for Season 3.
His rise was rapid: ODI debut against England in June 2021, T20I debut against India a month later, player of the series in the ODI rubber against South Africa that September, then 231 runs at 46.20 at the 2021 T20 World Cup. A maiden ODI hundred — 110 against Australia in June 2022 — and the Sri Lanka white-ball captaincy from 2024 completed the ascent.
He lost the ODI captaincy in May 2026 and was left out of October’s tri-series squad against Pakistan, so Season 3 doubles as a personal reset for a proven pressure-chase batter — his unbeaten 80 from 49 balls against Bangladesh remains the template — playing for form and a national recall.
He is expected to bat at four or five and offer part-time right-arm off-break as the squad’s most experienced international.
Player details
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Charith Asalanka |
| Date of birth | 29 June 1997 |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Playing role | Batter |
| Batting style | Left-hand bat |
| Bowling style | Right-arm off break |
Playing style and strengths
Asalanka is a left-hand batter whose calling card is the controlled chase: 231 runs at 46.20 across the 2021 T20 World Cup and an unbeaten 80 from 49 balls against Bangladesh show a player who absorbs pressure and accelerates on his own terms, strong through the leg side and adept at manipulating spin in the middle overs rather than relying on pure power.
His right-arm off-break is a genuine tactical extra rather than a token part-time option — a sixth- or seventh-bowler over the captain can use for a match-up against left-handers or to break a partnership, deepening a spin group already built around Sandeep Lamichhane. As a former international captain who stayed in Sri Lanka’s leadership group after losing the ODI captaincy in May 2026, he also brings a second tactical brain for Lamichhane to consult in the field.
Charith Asalanka's role at Biratnagar Kings in Season 3
Asalanka is the squad’s most experienced international and its direct overseas batting signing — the franchise went outside the auction to get him, which signals a locked-in XI role. He bats four or five, the bridge between the Nepali top order led by Lokesh Bam and the finishing power of Shubham Ranjane, Rupesh Singh and Narayan Joshi.
His fit is specific: a left-hander among right-hand-dominant middle-order options, a chase specialist for a side that reached the 2025 playoffs, and a part-time off-spinner who lets the Kings balance five bowling options without a specialist’s batting hole. With Sandeep Lamichhane captaining, Asalanka’s recent captaincy experience is a quiet asset — a former white-ball captain at Lamichhane’s shoulder when the game tightens.
Charith Asalanka at NPL 2026
Season-by-season Nepal Premier League figures for Charith Asalanka.
| Season | Team | Matches | Runs | HS | Avg | Wkts | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NPL 2024 (Season 1) | Not publicly available | Not publicly available | Not publicly available | Not publicly available | Not publicly available | Not publicly available | Not publicly available |
| NPL 2025 (Season 2) | Not publicly available | Not publicly available | Not publicly available | Not publicly available | Not publicly available | Not publicly available | Not publicly available |
| NPL 2026 (Season 3) | Biratnagar Kings | Season not yet played | — | — | — | — | — |
Records & achievements
- ODI debut for Sri Lanka against England in June 2021; T20I debut against India a month later
- Player of the series in the ODI rubber against South Africa in September 2021
- 231 runs in six matches at the 2021 T20 World Cup at an average of 46.20
- Maiden T20I half-century, an unbeaten 80 from 49 balls against Bangladesh
- Maiden ODI hundred, 110 against Australia in June 2022
- Sri Lanka’s white-ball captain from 2024
- Signed by Biratnagar Kings as a direct overseas signing for Season 3
Frequently Asked Questions
Which team does Charith Asalanka play for in NPL Season 3?
Biratnagar Kings, who signed him as a direct overseas signing.
What is Charith Asalanka’s role?
Left-handed middle-order batter who bowls part-time right-arm off-break.
What is Charith Asalanka’s biggest international achievement?
Captaining Sri Lanka in white-ball cricket, and scoring 231 runs at the 2021 T20 World Cup at an average of 46.20.
How old is Charith Asalanka?
He was born on 29 June 1997.
Follow Biratnagar Kings
Biratnagar Kings squad lists every player’s Season 3 listing separately — retained core, auction buys and overseas signings. Auction prices apply only to the listed auction transaction; they are not a career salary or a retained-player fee.