Former Sri Lanka white ball skipper Dasun Shanaka has been excluded from the 16-member squad, while bowling all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne has been once again re-called for the ODI squad for the Afghanistan three-match ODI series which will be held from February 9 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The second and third ODI will be played at the same venue on the 11th and 14th and all matches will be played under lights from 2.30 pm each day. The selected 16-member squad has already been sent to the Sports Ministry for approval.
The selection committee headed by Upul Tharanga excluded former captain Dasun Shanaka due to his poor form as he did not succeed in the last Zimbabwe ODI and T -20 series which was played at R. Premadasa International cricket Stadium. Dasun Shanaka who captained ODI squad for the last world cup later got injured and was out from the squad but under the new selection committee he got a chance to play both Zimbabwe ODI and T-20 series. In fact Shanaka who came to the middle as number 6-7 positions played really well at the recent domestic Major clubs limited over cricket tournament for SSC once again failed to impress with the bat as well as ball in Zimbabwe series and Selectors were planning to drop him for the Afghanistan series.
Meanwhile all rounder Chamika Karunaratne, who missed the recent Zimbabwe series, has been included in the squad, enhancing both the batting and bowling line-up.
Except for Dasun’s exclusion and Chamika’s return, there won’t be many major changes in the ODI squad against Afghanistan.
Shanaka’s poor performance with the bat, particularly in ODIs, led to his exclusion. He was included in the last ODI series against Zimbabwe but was dropped for the third ODI due to his inability to return to form. Shanaka lost his white ball captaincy and selectors named Kusal Mendis as ODI Captain and Wanidu Hasaranga as T-20 captain.
Meanwhile Chamika Karunaratne has been selected to fill Shanaka’s absence. He previously replaced Captain Dasun Shanaka in Sri Lanka’s World Cup squad last year. Karunaratne was first named as a travel reserve but later he replaced injured Shanaka . However Chamika also did not succeed at the world cup matches.
Leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay, who was added to the recently concluded Zimbabwe ODI squad, will miss the Afghanistan series due to a finger injury. Wanindu Hasaranga is expected to replace him in the playing XI Hasranga was not included for first two Zimbabwe ODI ’s due to his fitness but when he was included for last Zimbabwe ODI he took 7 for 19 and earned man of the match.
All rounder Janith Liyanage who was adjudged man of the match at second Zimbabwe ODI once again ensured his place in the squad along with Dilshan Madushanka , Dushmantha Chameera Promod Madushan and off spinner Akila Dhananjaya and Dunith Wellalage. Avishka Fernando who did not succeed as an opener in Zimbabwe ODI series is named in this squad with Nuwanindu Fernando and Sadeera Samarawickrama while Charith Asalanka the deputy skipper of the ODI team missed last T-20 Zimbabwe game due to illness now fully recovered and back in the squad. The experienced all rounder Angelo Mattews and young opener Shevon Daniel are among the 19 member squad with opener Patthum Nissanka.
Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced their 15-member squad for the series. Their number one spinner, Rashid Khan, remains unavailable due to ongoing recovery from back surgery. Young leg-spinner Qais Ahmad has been included to fill the gap. Qais Ahmad also played a one off Test match against Sri Lanka at SSC grounds. Rahmanullah Gurbaz the hard hitting opener will get a chance to play ODI series and Afghanistan will give a good fight at white ball format after losing one off test at SSC grounds.
Sri Lanka ODI squad (subjected to approval from the Sports Minister)
Kusal Mendis (Capt), Charith Asalanka (V. Capt), Kusal Janith Perera, Pathum Nissanka ,Sadeera Samarawickrama ,Angelo Mathew,Janith Liyanage, Shevon Daniel, Nuwanindu Fernando,Wanindu Hasaranga, Akila Dhananjaya, Dunith Wellalage, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Promod Madushan, Chamika Karunaratne.
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