Sri Lanka Add Five More Players to Their T20 World Cup Squad

They are Pathum Nissanka, Minod Bhanuka, Ashen Bandara, Lakshan Sandakan, and Ramesh Mendis. Lahiru Madushanka, who was previously included in the T20 WC mix, will not travel with the team due to an injury.

Dasun Shanaka will lead the squad when they begin their campaign on 18 October in Abu Dhabi against Namibia in Group A of the First Round, where they have also drawn Ireland and the Netherlands.

There were only three players in the squad who were absent because they had been suspended for a year in July for breaking Covid-19 protocols. Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Mendis, and Danushka Gunathilaka were also absent. Kusal Perera returns from injury, so Minod Bhanuka, who was keeping wickets in Perera’s absence, is also out of the team for the match.

Maheesh Theekshana, who made his Twenty20 International debut against South Africa by dismissing Heinrich Klaasen, has been named to the squad. His performance in the first one-day International earlier this week was also impressive, picking up four wickets. Additionally, a left-arm spinner, Praveen Jayawickrama, and a right-arm spinner, Wanindu Hasaranga, make the squad.

Only Jayawickrama has never played for the team, but has been selected because of his stellar performance in other formats. He took 11 wickets in his Test debut against Bangladesh in April. So far, he has played five ODIs and taken five wickets.

Fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera will be teamed up with veteran seamer Nuwan Pradeep and all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne. 

In addition, four reserves have been named as injury cover – Lahiru Kumara, Binura Fernando, Akila Dananjaya, and Pulina Tharanga.

Squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Dhananjaya De Silva, Kusal Janith Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kamindu Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, Praveen Jayawickrama, Maheesh Theekshana, Pathum Nissanka, Minod Bhanuka, Ashen Bandara, Lakshan Sandakan, and Ramesh Mendis.