Follow UsSri Lanka have announced their squad for the upcoming Asia Cup that will be played in the T20 format in the UAE. The biggest news in there is that leg-spinner and lower-order basher Wanindu Hasaranga is finally making his return to the side after a hamstring injury he suffered during the Bangladesh series. Hasaranga was even left out of Sri Lanka’s T20I series against Zimbabwe.
Hasaranga will make up the three specialist spin options for Sri Lanka along with Dunith Wellalage and Maheesh Theekshana.
Sri Lanka’s squad has four changes from the last series against Bangladesh at home (which they lost). Avishka Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Jeffrey Vandersay and Eshan Malinga have been left out, with batters Nuwanidu Fernando and Kamil Mishara making the squad along with pacer Dushmantha Chameera. The other big omission is that of all-rounder Angelo Matthews, who was available for selection in white ball cricket but was ignored for the Asia Cup.
Fast bowler Chamika Karunaratne is making a return to the side; meanwhile, fast-bowling all-rounder Dasun Shanaka has also been selected in the squad for the coveted tournament.
Sri Lanka will begin their campaign from September 13 in the Asia Cup.
Charith Asalanka (c ), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana