Dilshan Madushanka among three players added to Sri Lanka's WCQ squad as standby

Dilshan Madushanka, Dunith Wellalage and Sahan Arachchige have been announced as standby options for Sri Lanka in the ongoing World Cup Qualifiers being played in Zimbabwe. The trio will join the senior squad on June 23 and be available for selection in case of injury to any player. 

Madushanka has been rewarded for his recent impressive outings against South Africa A, where he scalped nine wickets in three List-A games and picked up four more in a four-day game. The 22-year-old was also the most expensive player during the recent inaugural Lanka Premier League (LPL) auction getting sold for $92,000. 

The fast bowler has been picked considering the fragility of the Sri Lankan seamers, as Lahiru Kumara has had a history of breaking down in the middle of games, while the workload of Dushmantha Chameera is being carefully managed. Hence, Kasun Rajitha and Matheesha Pathirana are the only reliable seam-bowling options in the current squad.

Wellalage is a capable left-arm spinner and can provide variety in the current bowling attack. The Under-19 captain can also be a handy lower-order batter and a better fielder in the current setup. 

On the other hand, Arachchige also sparked a bidding war at the LPL auction and was eventually sold for $28,000. The 27-year-old has tremendous potential, as he has shown in his recent performances, having scored three fifties in his last five List-A matches.

Sri Lanka beat UAE in opening game

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka got their Cricket World Cup Qualifiers campaign started on a high, beating UAE (United Aram Emirates) by 175 runs in the opening game. After being put in to bat first, Sri Lanka posted a mammoth total of 355/6 courtesy of half-centuries from Kusal Mendis (78), Sadeera Samarawickrama (73), Dimuth Karunaratne (52) and Pathum Nissanka (57).

The Dasun Shanka-led side further bundled out UAE for 180 in the second innings, with Wanindu Hasaranga picking 6/24 in eight overs.  They will next lock horns with Oman on June 23 in Bulawayo.