Uncapped fast bowler Mohamed Shiraz added to Sri Lanka's ODI squad for India series

Mohamed Shiraz is all set for his international debut, as the uncapped pacer has been named in the Sri Lanka Cricket Team for the upcoming three-match ODI series against India at home.

The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has added Shiraz to the ODI squad for the ODI series against Team India. The 29-year-old Shiraz has been added to Sri Lanka's ODI squad as cover for the injured speedster Matheesha Pathirana.

Mohamed Shiraz set for Sri Lanka debut against India

He has been making waves in domestic cricket and can be a handy batter, having scored over 500 runs across the formats. The fast bowler is currently plying his trade for the Burgher Recreation Club in the Major Clubs Limited Over Tournament.

Shiraz recently showcased his potential with a stellar performance, taking 6 wickets for just 21 runs against Kurunegala Youth Cricket Club, which were his best List-A bowling figures. In his career so far, Shiraz has played 47 List A matches, claiming 80 wickets at an impressive average of 17.52.

Additionally, the 29-year-old has valuable experience in first-class cricket, playing 49 FC matches and taking 125 wickets at an amazing economy rate of 3.65 and an average of 31. He has also had 23 T20 wickets to his name in 23 games in Sri Lanka's domestic competitions.

Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara will miss India ODIs after missing T20I series

Meanwhile, Dushmantha Chameera, who was sidelined from the T20I series due to bronchitis and a respiratory infection, will also miss the ODI series against India. Similarly, Nuwan Thushara will also miss the ODI series after fracturing his thumb during training before the series began.

On the other hand, 24-year-old Nishan Madushka was handed his maiden ODI call-up to the Sri Lankan team on the back of his impressive start to his Test career. Madushka has already smashed a double hundred in his eight Test matches, and now he would be hoping for similar success in ODIs.

Notably, the three-match ODI series between Sri Lanka and India will kick off with the first match at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on August 2, followed by the second and third ODIs on August 4 and August 7 at the same venue.

I am disappointed: Charith Asalanka on the T20I series drubbing

Sri Lanka will be looking to make a stronger comeback in the upcoming three-match ODI series in Colombo after their recent 0-3 T20I series defeat to the Indian cricket team at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy.

After losing the T20I series to Team India, Sri Lanka’s T20I captain Charith Asalanka stated: “I am really disappointed about our batting line-up, especially middle-order and late middle-order. Very bad shot selection was the reason. Spinners were bowling; that's why Hasaranga came up with the order. We gave him the license to hit one or two boundaries; that didn't work for us. Wrong shot selection on this pitch.

When the ball gets old, our shot selection should be spot-on; it's really hard to bat on these tracks. Definitely, we can't give excuses. As professional cricketers, we need to do a little bit more than this. I want to see good batting performances in the ODIs, not like T20s. Our top three and four have done well, and that's the only positive I have. Boys will do something better.”

Here’s the Sri Lanka squad for India ODIs:

Charith Asalanka (C), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Nishan Madushka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Akila Dananjaya, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando, Mohamed Shiraz.