Sri Lanka T20 squad announced ahead of Asia Cup 2025; Veteran all-rounder snubbed
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The Sri Lanka national cricket team have announced their final 17-member squad for the T20I series against Zimbabwe, which can also be considered one of their most probable lineups for the Asia Cup, which will be held after the end of this series.
Sri Lanka is currently on their tour to Zimbabwe for a two-match ODI series, which will be followed by a three-match T20I series. The tour is scheduled to start tomorrow, the 29th of August. This will be the last series they play as part of preparations for the upcoming Asia Cup.
They had announced the ODI squad over a week before and have now finally revealed the T20I squad after all their players have already arrived in Harare and are preparing for the series.
Sri Lanka announces Squad for T20Is against Zimbabwe
Sri Lanka has not offered many surprises in the squad despite their humiliating loss to Bangladesh in the T20I series at home. They have instead kept their most veteran spinner, Wanindu Hasaranga, away from the Zimbabwe series, and he remains doubtful for participation in the Asia Cup as well.
Nuwanidu Fernando has replaced Avishka Fernando in the squad for the Zimbabwe tour, while Dinesh Chandimal has also been left out, and instead Kamil Mishara has been called up into the Sri Lanka squad.
Dushan Hemantha and Veshen Halambage are among the two members who are new additions, replacing leg-spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Jeffrey Vandersay.
Sri Lanka Squad: Charith Asalanka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Vishen Halambage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, and Matheesha Pathirana.
17-member squad hints towards the Asia Cup Squad
The 17-member squad, which has been announced by the Sri Lankan cricket board, can be considered their final squad for the Asia Cup 2025 as well, though they have not made any such official announcement.
The team includes 17 well-picked players; however, one or two changes might be made for the Asia Cup, as spinner Hasaranga might be seen making his return to impart the abundance of experience he has up his sleeves.
The series concludes on the 7th of September, just two days before the Asia Cup action begins in the UAE, and the last date for announcing the Asia Cup squads has been stated as the 30th of August by the Asian Cricket Council.
Sri Lanka to start proceedings as one of the favourites in the Asia Cup
Lankans, despite their poor form in international tournaments and their snub from the group stages of the 2024 T20 World Cup since they failed to qualify for the next stage, have been stated as the favourites in the Asian continental championship.
They were the champions last time it was played in the shortest format of the game, as Dasun Shanaka was the skipper at that time. They have even been cited as the nearest competitor to India by former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali.
The Lankans will begin their Asia Cup campaign against Bangladesh on the 13th of September in a Group B fixture.
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Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Wanindu Hasaranga Charith Asalanka Dasun Shanaka Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe Asia Cup Zimbabwe vs Sri Lanka Zimbabwe National Cricket Team
