29 August 2023 04:59 pm Views - 1113
Binura Fernando and Pramod Madushan have been included in Sri Lanka's Asia Cup squad due to a series of injuries that have depleted the defending champions' bowling attack.
Four of Sri Lanka's frontline bowlers - Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, and Lahiru Kumara - who were originally named in the squad, have been ruled out.
Fernando performed well during the recent Lanka Premier League season, finishing with 10 wickets in eight matches.
Meanwhile, Madushan debuted during Sri Lanka's successful Asia Cup campaign last year but was not selected since his last international outing in April this year during the tour to New Zealand.
They will form a pace bowling attack that includes the experience of Kasun Rajitha and the prodigious talent of Matheesha Pathirana.
Hasaranga has been replaced by Dushan Hemantha, but the bulk of the spin bowling duties are likely to be shouldered by Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage.
It is not all bad news for Sri Lanka, though, as wicket-keeper batsman Kusal Janith Perera, who was initially set to miss the tournament due to illness, has been declared fit and included in the 15-member squad.
1) Dasun Shanaka – Captain
2) Pathum Nissanaka
3) Dimuth Karunaratne
4) Kusal Janith Perera
5) Kusal Mendis – Vice Captain
6) Charith Asalanka
7) Dhananjaya de Silva
8) Sadeera Samarawickrama
9) Maheesh Theekshana
10) Dunith Wellalage
11) Matheesha Pathirana
12) Kasun Rajitha
13) Dushan Hemantha
14) Binura Fernando
15) Pramod Madushan