Sri Lanka legend and ICC Champions Trophy ambassador Kumar Sangakkara is looking forward to June’s tournament which comes to England in Wales, with four games at the Cardiff Wales Stadium, including Sri Lanka v Pakistan on June 12th.
Speaking to BBC Wales Sport, the batsmen with over 12,000 Test Match runs and over 14,000 in One-Day Internationals said, "It’s going to be a great tournament featuring some great sides who have been playing some very good cricket over the last year and a half.
"Squads have settled down and the top teams have found form going into the tournament, so it’s going to be a great spectacle for both spectators and for the players.
"The ICC Champions trophy is an important test for players looking forward to a World Cup with full strength teams playing against each other in a tournament format it's always a great marker to see where they stand as a one-day side, so it ranks very high. There’s no substitute for a World Cup but this is very close.
Sangakkara who plays on the county cricket circuit for Surrey, was in Cardiff for the 2013 tournament and was full of praise for the venue,
"It’s a great venue and pitch in Cardiff. I have played on it before in the shorter format and its always produced great cricket, so I think its going to be another four exciting games [in Cardiff].
"Sri Lanka will have some experience there having played before and will have some idea of how the pitch will turn up and how the wicket will be which is going to be an important part of the tournament in determining how teams approach the tournament and have their combinations set.
Sri Lanka always does well in big tournaments, of course there’s been some big changes in our side in the last year and half, with players coming in but the new look squad looks settled with some experienced players and some exciting new ones."
Semi-finalists in 2013, Sri Lanka are in pool B meaning they will also face India and South Africa as well as the match against Pakistan in Cardiff, and Sangakkara is hopeful of a repeat showing of recent success in ICC tournaments for his compatriots.
"A lot depends on our bowling attack and it’s great to have Lasith Malinga back. The variation in our bowling attack has been our trump card. The players will relish the challenge and they stand a good chance.
"However, Australia and India will be strong and South Africa have done well recently, but playing here in England, the hosts will fancy their chances and are probably one of the most balanced sides in the tournament."
Unfortunately Kumar won't be able to help his country out with his weight of runs this time having retired from international cricket but he will be at the tournament after being appointed in the broadcast line-up to commentate, which is a new challenge he enjoys.
"I’ve done a bit of commentary before but not in a big tournament so it will be a big experience for me and I look forward to adding my two pence worth if it adds value."
Tickets to see Sri Lanka play Pakistan in Cardiff on June 12th are available at: www.icc-cricket.com/tickets