Sri Lanka announce squad for T20I series against Pakistan

It has been more than 8 years since Sri Lankan team has toured the cricket crazy nation of Pakistan. One unfortunate incident, which happened way back in 2009, changed the scheme of things quite drastically for Pakistan, keeping the country a cricket-starved one. After a long time, international cricket is on it’s way back to Pakistan, that too with the help Sri Lanka. Lahore is all set to witness their talented cricketers fight against the Lankan lions in the thrid and final T20I of the series. All-rounder Thisara Perera will be leading the Lankan team.

Though the president of Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC), Thilanga Sumathipala decided to forget old things and start afresh, many of the experienced Sri Lankan players were dead against it. The likes of regular skipper Upul Tharanga made their intentions clear by saying that they are not willing to travel to Pakistan again. Following the unwillingness of some experienced players, SLC has decided to hand over the responsibility to Thisara Perera. It was announced on Saturday (October 21) when the squad for the T20I series was finalised.

Six players were retained from the one-day squad, which is currently getting thrashed by Sarfraz Ahmed’s men. Following his good run of form, Dasun Shanaka has been promoted into the team from his current side, Sri Lanka ‘A’. After completing his suspension, which he received for breaching the disciplinary rules and regulations, Danushka Gunathilaka is all set to wear the blue jersey again.

Kusal Perera failed fitness test

Not Thisara Perera, but another Perera in the form of Kusal Perera was initially poised to be the skipper of the team. The player was recovering well from his hamstring injury and it was expected that he’d pass the fitness test, which he unfortunately didn’t. Hence, the thousands of spectators in Lahore will miss Kusal in action, but they will witness the likes of Dilshan Munaweera, Seekkuge Prasanna and Jeffrey Vandersay.

Sri Lankan squad for the T20I series: Thisara Perera (Captain), Dilshan Munaweera, Danushka Gunathilaka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Ashan Priyanjan, Mahela Udawatte, Dasun Shanaka, Sachith Pathirana, Vikum Sanjaya, Lahiru Gamage, Seekkuge Prasanna, Vishwa Fernando, Isuru Udana, Jeffrey Vandersay and Chathuranga de Silva.