Follow UsSri Lanka have named three uncapped players for the one-off Test against Afghanistan, starting Friday(February 2) at the SSC, Colombo. That includes pacers Chamika Gunasekara and Milan Rathnayake alongwith opening batter Lahiru Udara.
Rathnayake is yet to play in any format for Sri Lanka while Gunasekara and Udara have played ODIs and T20Is respectively for their country.
This will be the first-time Dhananjaya de Silva will lead the side since being named Test captain. Former captain Dimuth Karunaratne continues to be in the side and is likely to continue opening with Nishan Madushka. Pathum Nissanka does not feature in the 16-member squad and last played a Test in 2022.
Fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka, who made his debut in the format against Pakistan last July has not been picked and is currently participating in the ILT20 in Dubai. Sadeera Samarawickrama is likely to take the wicketkeeping gloves with Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal occupying crucial spots in the middle-order.
Ramesh Mendis and Prabath Jayasuriya will be Sri Lanka's primary spinners, while they have Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha and Asitha Fernando to choose from the fast bowling department.
This will be the first time the two teams will face-off against each other. They have played 17 white-ball matches previously with Sri Lanka winning 10 of them so far.
Sri Lanka squad for one-off Test vs Afghanistan: Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Kusal Mendis (vc), Dimuth Karunaratne, Nishan Madushka, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Ramesh Mendis, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Kamindu Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Udara, Chamika Gunasekara, Milan Rathnayake