T20 World Cup: Theekshana named in Sri Lanka's final 15-player squad

Dasun Shanaka will lead Sri Lanka's final 15-player squad in the upcoming from T20 World Cup in UAE and Oman, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced on Sunday. The squad has been trimmed out of the 23-player contingent that travelled to Oman ahead of the tournament.

Maheesh Theekshana, the 21-year old spinner who impressed in the white-ball series against South Africa, found a place in the final squad while off-spinner Praveen Jayawickrama missed out. All-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga and Akila Dananjaya will be the other two spinners in the squad. Dananjaya was initially named among the reserves but found a place in the final squad.

Pathum Nissanka, who was among the last-minute additions to the squad, also made into the squad while veteran Nuwan Pradeep was ommitted. Other major omissions from the squad are Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Mendis and Danushka Gunathilaka, who were banned for a year for breaking the Covid-19 protocols on their tour of England in July. 

Sri Lanka will begin their campaign on 18 October against Namibia in Abu Dhabi in Group A of the first round, where they have also drawn Ireland and the Netherlands.

Sri Lanka's final squad for T20 World Cup:  Dasun Shanaka (C), Kusal Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya De Silva (VC), Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Maheesh Theekshana, Akila Dananjaya, Binura Fernando