Kusal Mendis Set to Lead Sri Lanka in T20I Series Against Pakistan
Kusal Mendis is set to return to the Sri Lankan side for their upcoming T20I tour of Pakistan, with Dushmantha Chameera also included in the 15-member squad.
The three-match series will be Mendis’ first assignment since he missed the recent T20Is in England while recovering from an injury. He will also take back the white-ball captaincy after Charith Asalanka led the team in his absence.
It should be noted that Sri Lanka struggled badly during the England tour, losing all three T20I matches. The return of Kusal Mendis is therefore a good sign, as it will strengthen the batting department of the team. Apart from him, the selectors have also announced some other changes to the squad, with Dilshan Madushanka, Tharindu Rathnayake and Janith Liyanage missing out this time.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka will head into the series without regular opener Pathum Nissanka and experienced all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, as both players are dealing with injuries.
Hasaranga picked up a lower-back problem during a training session before the first ODI against England. He later returned to Sri Lanka to continue his recovery.
Notably, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth has been brought into the squad as Hasaranga’s replacement, while Sineth Jayawardena will take Nissanka’s place at the top of the order.
Sri Lanka have made a few more additions to their squad for the Pakistan tour, with Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Sahan Arachchige and Binura Fernando included in the group. The inclusion of Wickramasinghe and Arachchige is a good move by the selectors, as both are quality batters who can play for the team at different positions.
For the unversed, the T20I series will begin on October 9, with the remaining games scheduled for October 11 and 13. All three matches will be held at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Sri Lanka will have more cricket to play after the Pakistan T20Is, as they are set to join England and Pakistan in an ODI tri-series. Following the completion of that series, the tour will move to the longer format, in which Pakistan will take on Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series.
Sri Lanka Squad for T20I Series Against Pakistan ;
Kamil Mishara, Sineth Jayawardena, Kusal Mendis (c), Lahiru Udara, Sahan Arachchige, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga and Dushmantha Chameera (subject to fitness).
