If they start well and get going, Wanindu Hasaranga's men can be difficult to stop in the T20 World Cup.

Ten years after her ICC T20 World Cup After a successful season led by a departing ‘Golden Generation’, Sri Lanka’s next crop of cricketers now has the chance to make history by bringing the country another trophy.

It was in 2014 that Sri Lankan legends Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Lasith Malinga turned the tables against favourites India and won the final of the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka are currently led by prolific all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga. While the team is not necessarily the favourite, former player Farveez Maharoof believes that the team's current form ahead of the current T20 World Cup in the West Indies and United States.

“Sri Lanka has beaten Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe brilliantly [in recent series],” Maharoof told Al Jazeera, before admitting that the country’s poor finishes in the last T20 World Cups “will be on the players’ minds”.

The island nation was once considered a heavyweight in the tournament's history – and rightly so. They qualified for the 2009 final, the 2010 semi-final and the 2012 home final before lifting the trophy in 2014.

However, since their historic six-wicket win against India in April 2014, the Lankan Lions have not made it to the knockout stages of the tournament.

“Hard to stop them”

Hasaranga's team will be looking to bounce back when they start their tournament campaign against South Africa in New York on Monday and Maharoof believes they can do well despite their difficult group.

Sri Lanka’s Group D – or so-called Group of Death – also includes South Africa, Bangladesh, the Netherlands and Nepal.

“Hasaranga led from the front in pressure situations, which is the hallmark of a good leader,” said Maharoof, who also played the role of an all-rounder, about the current captain.

“I see Hasaranga as a positive and aggressive team player and that is exactly what you expect from a T20 captain.”

The 26-year-old captain took over from Dasun Shanaka in December and led Sri Lanka to five wins in seven matches. He will benefit from the presence of experienced all-rounder Angelo Mathews, who was a key member of the 2014 title-winning side.

Maharoof believes Mathews' “wealth of experience and years of experience in international cricket” are exactly what Hasaranga needs as a young leader.

“Hasaranga has surrounded himself with good players,” he said.

Although Sri Lanka have selected a side that is heavily focused on spin, Maharoof believes that the team has all eventualities covered, given the crucial role of slower bowlers on the pitches in the USA and the West Indies.

He described her as the “insider tip” of the tournament.

“This Sri Lankan team has what it takes to make it to the end. T20 cricket is all about momentum and if the Sri Lankan team starts well and gains momentum, [in the World Cup]it will be difficult to stop them.”

Maharoof's three Sri Lankan players to watch

Hasanranga: “The captain will be a very important player who can play a floater role in the batting order and give them flexibility. With the ball, he will attack and look to take wickets in his four overs. If Hasaranga has a good World Cup, Sri Lanka will have a good World Cup.”

Kusal Mendis: “If he is at the head of the [batting] Command, he can be brutal.”

Dushmantha Chameera: “Chameera has just won the Indian Premier League with Kolkata Knight Riders and his confidence will be very high. If he stays fit and finds the right rhythm, Chameera will be a bowler to watch.”