Former captain Charith Asalanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Dunith Wellalage and Dhananjaya de Silva are set to be recalled for the three-match T20 International series against Pakistan next month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Young off-spinner Traveen Mathews, who has been in form recently, is also expected to be included in the squad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Asalanka’s return is one of the most closely watched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He played no part in the recent tri-series in Pakistan, returning midway through the series due to illness along with pacer Asitha Fernando.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The attempt to pull out of the tour ultimately cost Asalanka the captaincy, and sparked speculation that his future in the T20 format is under threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Asalanka’s run-rate in 2025 has done little to silence the critics. He has scored just 156 runs in 13 matches, which is a mediocre performance for a player considered to be a staple of Sri Lanka’s middle-order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, by recalling him, the new selectors appear to be favouring experience over talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They will be banking on Asalanka’s ability to stabilise the innings at the crucial No. 5 slot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Matheesha Pathirana’s call-up is due to his impact with the ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He was one of the biggest buys in the recent Indian Premier League auction, fetching a bid of nearly US$2 million, or approximately Rs. 600 million, underscoring his value in the shortest format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, his contribution to Sri Lanka this year has been limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He has played only two T20Is and taken one wicket. However, he has been in fine form for Sharjah Warriors in the ILT20, taking five wickets in three matches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That included three wickets for 19 runs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Perhaps the most surprising recall is that of Dhananjaya de Silva.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Sri Lankan Test captain has not played a T20 international in over a year and has not played in an ODI series since the 50-over World Cup in India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, as the middle order continues to show instability, the selectors appear willing to reconsider his inclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dhananjaya has played 45 T20Is, scoring 847 runs at an average of 21.17 with an attack average of 115.86.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the numbers may not be impressive, the experience and composure he brings may have led to his inclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Off-spinner Traveen Mathews, who took seven wickets in three matches, was a surprise performer in the Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 21-year-old is set to earn a place in the 18-man squad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The squad has been selected and sent to the Sports Minister for approval.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wellalage led Sri Lanka in one tournament he participated in and has shown strong performances with both bat and ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It remains to be seen how these players will be included in the final XI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leg-spinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, batsmen Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Pawan Ratnayake are likely to feature in the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After the Pakistan series, Sri Lanka will host England for another three-match T20I series before turning their attention to the T20 World Cup, which they are co-hosting with India.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Former captain Charith Asalanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Dunith Wellalage and Dhananjaya de Silva are set to be recalled for the three-match T20 International series against Pakistan next month. Young off-spinner Traveen Mathews, who has been in form recently, is also expected to be included in the squad. Asalanka’s return is one of the most closely watched….<\/p>","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":10525,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20,57],"tags":[714,1837,559,281],"class_list":["post-10524","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cricket","category-national-cricket","tag-charith-asalanka","tag-dhananjaya-de-silva","tag-dunith-wellalage","tag-matheesha-pathirana"],"yoast_head":"\n