Dasun Shanaka will lead a 15-member Sri Lankan squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 to be held in UAE and Oman in October-November this year.
Sri Lanka will start their campaign against Namibia on 18 October in Group A of the first round in Abu Dhabi, where they have also drawn Ireland and the Netherlands.
The only major omissions from the squad were Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Mendis and Danushka Gunathilaka, who were banned for a year for breaking Covid-19 protocols on their tour of England in July. Minod Bhanuka, who was wicketkeeping in Perera’s absence, also missed Kusal Perera’s return from injury.
21-year-old off-spinner Mahesh Thekshana, who made his T20 International debut and dismissed Heinrich Klaasen in the first match against South Africa, has been included. The youngster also took four wickets in his ODI debut earlier this week. Other spinners in the squad are left-armer Praveen Jayavikrema, who made his international debut earlier this year, and Wanindu Hasaranga.
Jayavikrema is the only uncapped member in the squad but has been included on the basis of his stellar performances in other formats. He made an impressive Test debut against Bangladesh in April, taking 11 wickets in the match. He has played five ODIs so far and has taken five wickets.
The pace department will be led by experienced seamer Nuwan Pradeep and all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne along with Dushmantha Chameera.
He has also named four reserves who will travel with the team as injury covers – Lahiru Kumara, Binura Fernando, Akila Dhananjaya and Pulina Tharanga.
Sri Lanka is scheduled to leave for Oman on 3 October to take part in two T20 matches against Oman on 7 and 9 October ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Sri Lanka will also play two warm-up matches of the ICC-organized World Cup on October 12 and 14, before starting their T20 World Cup campaign.
“We want to play as many games as possible in the World Cup, similar to the conditions the team will experience in the UAE. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) CEO Ashley de Silva said, “The game against Oman and the two ICC warm-up matches will give us this opportunity.
Shaft: Dasun Shanaka (captain), Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Janith Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapakse, Charit Aslanka, Vanindu Hasaranga, Kamindu Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Nuwan Pradeep, Dusmantha Chamira, Praveen Jayavikrema.
Stores: Lahiru Kumara, Binura Fernando, Akila Dhananjay, Pulina Tharanga.
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