Sri Lanka squad for England T20I series announced; superstar players kicked out

The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 co-hosts, Sri Lanka, have announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming series against England. They have made some startling changes to the T20I squad, which will take on England in one last showdown before the ICC tournament kicks off on February 7.

England are currently touring Sri Lanka for the twin white-ball series. These series mark preparations for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, which will be a marquee tournament starting on the 7th of February. The tournament will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

England came from behind and went on to win the ODI series by a 2-1 margin, while Sri Lanka did not play at their full strength due to the ICC T20 World Cup approaching. England have been placed in the same group alongside Italy, Nepal, the West Indies and Scotland, who recently replaced Bangladesh for the World Cup.

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Sri Lanka brings ODI centurion on board for T20I series

Sri Lanka had announced a huge bunch of names in the preliminary squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, and the final squad is yet to be revealed. According to ICC norms, the 31st of January will be the final date for the announcement of teams, and any further changes could only be made with the special permission of the ICC.

Hence, it seems likely that the SLC will have to finalise their World Cup squad after the end of the first T20I against England. They have hence started with some changes to the T20I series squad, and Pavan Rathnayake, the centurion, has been brought on board.

Rathnayake scored his maiden ODI hundred against England in the final ODI of the series, which Sri Lanka lost after desperate attempts from the batters. He had single-handedly scored 121 runs off 115 balls. He will be crucial to add stability to the Lankan batting order.

Massive changes made to T20I squad ahead of ICC T20 World Cup squad announcement

Sri Lanka have not only made an addition, but they have also excluded many players who have been part of the T20I setup for a long time, hence, throwing their T20 World Cup chances into a space of uncertainty.

The names that have been excluded include fast bowler Nuwan Thushara, batting all-rounder Kamindu Mendis and Legspinner Dushan Hemantha. Hence, Dunith Wellalage, who has been retained in the side despite not playing a T20I game for over 4 months, will be the third spinner alongside Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga.

In the fast bowling front, the exclusion of Thushara, who has been in the forefront for nearly 2 years, shows that the Lankans are ready to go to any extent ahead of the home World Cup. Dushmantha Chameera and Matheesha Pathirana will be frontline pacers, with Eshan Malinga and Pramod Madushan also in the squad

Sri Lanka's Squad for England T20I series

Kusal Perera, the veteran cricketer from Sri Lanka who plays only the shortest format of the game, would return to bolster their batting department, and a lot would once again depend on the likes of former skipper Charith Asalanka, opener Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis.

Dasun Shanaka, the seasoned all-rounder, will continue as the skipper of the side. He has been confirmed to lead the Lankans into the ICC T20 World Cup.

Sri Lanka Squad: Dasun Shanaka (capt.), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Matheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga.

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