Sri Lanka Names ODI & T20I Squads for Pakistan Series and Tri-Series; Pathirana and Madushanka Ruled Out
Colombo:Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced the 16-member squads for the upcoming limited-overs tour of Pakistan, which is set to begin on November 11. Charith Asalanka has been entrusted with the captaincy for both the three-match ODI series and the subsequent T20I tri-series.
The tour is considered a crucial preparation phase for the ICC T20 World Cup next year, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
The squad announcement was accompanied by news of two forced changes due to injuries to key fast bowlers:
ODI Squad Change: Opening batter Dilshan Madushanka, initially named in the ODI squad, has been ruled out due to a knee injury. Eshan Malinga has been called up as his replacement.
T20I Squad Change: Fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana will miss the T20I tri-series as he continues to recover from an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). Asitha Fernando will take his place in the T20I squad.
The SLC confirmed the replacements, stating, “The selectors have named Eshan Malinga as a replacement for Madushanka in the ODI squad, and Asitha Fernando will replace Pathirana in the T20I squad.”
