Former Sunrisers Hyderabad Mystery Spinner Flown Into Pakistan For Tri-Series

Sri Lanka spinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth has been drafted into the squad for the tri-series, which also features Pakistan and Zimbabwe. With a couple of injuries in the Sri Lankan camp, including to skipper Charith Asalanka, and premier spinner Wanindu Hasaranga the team have rung in the changes. 

While Dasun Shanaka will lead the team in Asalanka's absence, uncapped batter Pavan Rathnayake has been added to the squad to add a bit more batting depth. Sri Lanka have enough depth in the spin department even without Viyaskanth, with Maheesh Theekshana, and all-rounders Dushan Hemantha and Janith Liyanage already in the squad.

Viyaskanth made three appearances for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) - in 2024 - and picked up just one wicket

In his solitary game for Sri Lanka in T20Is, which came against Afghanistan at the Asian Games 2023 - the 23-year-old finished with 1/28.

His return to the senior side comes after he picked up five wickets in two matches for Sri Lanka A in the Asia Cup Rising Stars, currently going on in Doha. In the first match against Afghanistan A, he picked up 3/28 and followed that up with a spell of 2/11 in the next match against Hong Kong.  

Sri Lanka will play their first match of the tri-series against Zimbabwe on November 20 (Thursday) in Rawalpindi.