Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced a 17-member squad for Sri Lanka’s upcoming T20 series against Bangladesh.
Accordingly, the following squad, scheduled to leave for Bangladesh tomorrow (29 Feb.), was approved by Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Harin Fernando:
01. Wanindu Hasaranga – Captain
02. Charith Asalanka – Vice Captain
03. Kusal Mendis
04. Sadeera Samarawickrama
05. Angelo Mathews
06. Dasun Shanaka
07. Maheesh Theekshana
08. Dhananjaya de Silva
09. Kusal Janith Perera
10. Dilshan Madushanka
11. Nuwan Thushara
12. Matheesha Pathirana
13. Akila Dananjaya
14. Binura Fernando
15. Kamindu Mendis
16. Avishka Fernando – comes in place of Pathum Nissanka.
17. Jeffrey Vandersay
The SLC further announced that Charith Asalanka will serve as the ‘Acting Captain’ for the first two games of the three-match series, adding that although Pathum Nissanka was initially drafted in the original squad, he will not be travelling for the tour as he is still recovering from an injury sustained during Afghanistan’s Tour of Sri Lanka.
The all-format series against Bangladesh will get underway on 04 March, starting off with a three-match T20 series, followed by a three-match ODI series and two Test matches
Asalanka will be serving as the ‘Acting Captain’ for the first two games in light of Wanindu Hasaranga’s recent suspension for breaching the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) code of conduct during the third T20 against Afghanistan.
Hasaranga was presented with a two-match suspension, a 50% fine and three demerit points after he was found guilty of breaching article 2.13 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “Personal abuse of a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire or Match Referee during an International Match.