Kusal Perera returns after two-year absence for Asia Cup

Kusal Perera, who last played a One-Day International (ODI) in 2021, marks a return to the Sri Lankan squad for the 2023 Asia Cup. The wicketkeeper batter has had his fair share of struggles with injuries and is set to return to the playing XI. 

On the other hand, in the bowling department, Sri Lanka have been forced to make several changes to their setup, with Binura Fernando, Pramod Madushan and Dushan Hemantha being picked in the squad. Wanindu Hasaranga, as feared, has been ruled out of the tournament, keeping the 2023 ODI World Cup in mind. 

Fernando and Madushan too, come in place of Chameera and Kumara, with Matheesha Pathirana and Kasun Rajitha completing the pace-bowling arsenal. Left-arm spinning all-rounder Dunith Wellalage joins Maheesh Theekshana and Hemantha as the three front-line spin options for Sri Lanka. Hemantha has been picked as a like-for-like replacement for Hasaranga. 

Sri Lanka open their Asia Cup campaign against Bangladesh on Thursday (August 31) and will be hoping to salvage some pride at home. 

Sri Lanka squad for the Asia Cup 2023: Dasun Shanaka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Kasun Rajitha, Dushan Hemantha, Binura Fernando, Pramod Madushan.