Dimuth Karunaratne returns to Sri Lanka squad for Afghanistan ODIs

Sri Lanka have announced their squad for the upcoming three-match series against Afghanistan at home, with Dimuth Karunaratne returning to the 16-member team for the ODIs starting from June 2 at Hambantota. 

The southpaw led the side in the last edition of the World Cup in England in 2019 but was left out of the squad for the last couple of years in the white-ball format. 

Along with the 35-year-old, the squad also will have Dushmantha Chameera, who was out of action since the New Zealand series in March 2023 due to an ankle injury. 

Karunaratne will most likely walk out to bat alongside Pathum Nissanka, with Kusal Mendis coming at number three and donning the gloves. The middle order of the side looks solid with the experience of Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva. 

Dasun Shanaka will lead the team and will have the stars Matheesha Pathirana and Maheesh Theekshana returning from their successful IPL campaign with the Chennai Super Kings. 

While Wanindu Hasaranga, who played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, is part of the team, according to the press release by Sri Lankan Cricket, he is undergoing rehabilitation for a foot injury, and a call on his participation will be taken closer to the series. 

The squad also has a well-rounded pace bowling unit with Lahiru Kumara, Chameera, Kasun Rajitha and Pathirana in the ranks alongside Chamika Karunaratne's all-around abilities. 

The three matches will be on June 2, 4 and 7 at Hambantota and will be like the build-up for the much-awaited World Cup in India later this year

Sri Lanka ODI squad: 

Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Kusal Mendis (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushan Hemantha, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana