Dasun Shanaka, the former captain, is back in Sri Lanka’s T20I team. He’s in the 17-man squad for the three matches against Bangladesh starting Thursday in Pallekele.
Chamika Karunaratne, a bowling all-rounder, and Dunith Wellalage, a left-arm spinner, are also back. Wellalage didn’t play in the T20Is in New Zealand last year. Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Chamindu Wickramasinghe and Asitha Fernando are out of the team this time.
Shanaka is back for the first time since July 2024. Since then he played well in franchise cricket, specially Dubai Capitals in the ILT20 in February where he became a lower order finisher.
Karunaratne was dropped in November 2023 and has been playing local cricket. Wanindu Hasaranga, Karunaratne and Wellalage are the only three players with 300 runs and 20 wickets in Sri Lanka Cricket tournaments.
Malinga made the team after playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 18th season of the Indian Premier League. He took 13 wickets in 7 games at 18.30, behind Pat Cummins (16) and Harshal Patel (16) for the Sunrisers. Since 2022 Malinga has only gone without a wicket once in 27 T20 innings.
Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara and Binura Fernando are Sri Lanka’s fast bowlers. Shanaka and Karunaratne can bowl seam, adding depth. Jeffrey Vandersay is the backup spinner for Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga. Wellalage, Kamindu Mendis and Charith Asalanka can also bowl spin.
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Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Kamindu, Dinesh Chandimal and Asalanka are strong batsmen who can score quickly.
17-man squad: Charith Asalanka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Kamindu, Dinesh Chandimal, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Binura Fernando, Eshan Malinga
