Asalanka and Asitha ruled out of tri-series with Shanaka to lead Sri Lanka

Asalanka and Asitha ruled out of tri-series with Shanaka to lead Sri Lanka

Tri Series: Dasun Shanaka will lead Sri Lanka’s T20I side for the upcoming tri-series involving Pakistan and Zimbabwe.

This move comes after incumbent captain Charith Asalanka was ruled out by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) due to illness. Returning home along with Asalanka is Asitha Fernando, who is also out through sickness.

Pavan Rathnayake, who has played a solitary ODI, has been drafted into the squad as a replacement.

Two players returning home: captain Charith Asalanka and fast bowler Asitha Fernando, both suffering from illness, will return home. The two players will not take part in the upcoming tri-series featuring Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe.

The SLC media release added that the two first-choice players had been called back so that both could recover quickly ahead of the busy season.

“This precautionary decision ensures they receive proper care and sufficient time to recover ahead of future assignments. Dasun Shanaka will captain with Asalanka unavailable. Pavan Rathnayake has been added to the T20I squad as a replacement,” it added.

The T20I tri-series will kick off with host nation Pakistan going head-to-head with Zimbabwe on November 18. Sri Lanka will open their campaign against Zimbabwe on November 20.

Wanindu Hasaranga's injury

Legspinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth has been added to Sri Lanka's T20I squad for the T20I tri-series in Pakistan as cover for allrounder Wanindu Hasaranga, who has a hamstring injury.

Hasaranga has not been ruled out of the series yet. He picked up the hamstring niggle during the second game of the ODI series against Pakistan and subsequently missed the third ODI as Sri Lanka suffered a 3-0 defeat.

Sri Lanka Squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Kamil Mishara, Kamindu Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth.