SL vs PAK: Sri Lanka Name Squad For Pakistan T20Is – Sri Lanka has named their squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Pakistan, and one of the biggest talking points is the return of former captain Charith Asalanka. The left-hander was not part of the recent T20I Tri-series in Pakistan, but he is now back in the mix as Sri Lanka begin their build-up to the ICC T20 World Cup.
Sri Lanka Name Squad For Pakistan T20Is
The series will be played in Sri Lanka, with matches scheduled for January 7, 9, and 11. This tour is limited to Sri Lanka for the Pakistan team and serves as an important preparatory assignment for both sides. Sri Lanka Cricket has confirmed the squad that will take the field starting tomorrow.
Sri Lanka Name Squad For Pakistan T20Is; Charith Asalanka’s return confirmed
The squad announcement has not thrown up too many surprises, as most selections were on expected lines. Sri Lanka has chosen 18 players from the 25-member preliminary squad they had already submitted to the ICC for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7.
This series, along with two more at home before the World Cup, will give the team management a closer look at their options. Further changes could still be made, with the final World Cup squad to be announced after these preparatory matches.
Key changes from Pakistan Tri-series squad
Compared to the squad that played in the tri-series in Pakistan, Sri Lanka has brought back Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dunith Wellalage, Matheesha Pathirana, and Traveen Mathew. At the same time, Pavan Rathnayake, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Asitha Fernand,o and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth have missed out on selection this time.
Sri Lanka Name Squad For Pakistan T20Is: Full Squad
Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Janith Liyanage, Traveen Mathew, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, and Eshan Malinga.
Why Charith Asalanka lost the captaincy
Questions around Asalanka’s leadership role date back to Sri Lanka’s tour of Pakistan, when security concerns emerged due to unrest along Pakistan’s western border with Afghanistan. During that period, some Sri Lankan players expressed a desire to return home.
Even after PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi assured the team of tight security arrangements, Asalanka and Asitha Fernando chose to leave the tour and return to Sri Lanka. In response, Sri Lanka Cricket issued a strong warning, making it clear that players leaving a tour midway could face consequences.
Later, Asalanka clarified in a statement that he had returned home due to illness and not because he ignored the board’s instructions. Despite this, Sri Lanka moved on from him as captain and reinstated former skipper Dasun Shanaka as the team’s leader.
Shanaka was also named captain for the T20 World Cup. According to SLC officials, this decision was taken to ease the leadership pressure on Asalanka and help him regain his batting form ahead of the global event.
England series lined up after the Pakistan tour
After the Pakistan T20I series, Sri Lanka will continue their busy home season by hosting England for another white-ball assignment. England is set to arrive in Sri Lanka after completing their Ashes campaign.
The tour will begin with a three-match ODI series starting on January 22. This will be followed by a three-match T20I series scheduled for January 30, February 1, and February 3. Soon after that, Sri Lanka will shift full focus to hosting the ICC T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7.
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