Lasith Malinga To Lead Sri Lanka Facing New Zealand In T20I Series

Lasith Malinga, who recently called curtains from ODI format of the game, is all set to lead the team in the shorter format of the game. However, it isn’t going to be an easy task for the legendary fast bowler, as the team saw as many as 9 changes for the upcoming series against New Zealand.

Malinga, who retired from ODIs last month, will lead a revamped Sri Lankan side. As many as nine members of the squad who were part of their last T20I series against South Africa have been shown the door. Danushka Gunathilaka, who last played an international game for Sri Lanka in January 2019, returns to the squad.

Read More: Ravichandran Ashwin Is No Longer A Go-To Man – Harbhajan Singh

Danushka Gunathilaka makes a comeback:

The country’s cricketing body announced a 15-member squad for the three-match T20I series against the Kiwis. The final squad was approved by the Minister of Telecommunication, Foreign Employment and Sports Honourable Harin Fernando.

Kusal Perera, who picked up a hamstring injury that forced him to miss the T20I series against South Africa, is part of the squad along with Lahiru Kumara while Thisara Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva and Suranga Lakmal are among the nine players excluded from the previous T20I squad.

Shehan Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kasun Rajitha, and Lahiru Madushanka also made the squad. Meanwhile, Angelo Perera, Jeffrey Vandersay, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Priyamal Perera and Asitha Fernando are the others to miss out.

“The following 15 member Sri Lanka T20 squad was approved by the Minister of Telecommunication. And also, by Foreign Employment and Sports Honorable Harin Fernando. It is to play on the upcoming 3-Match T20I Series vs New Zealand, which starts on September 1, 2019, at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium,” SLC said in a statement.

Currently, Sri Lanka and New Zealand are taking on each other in the two-match Test series. The first Test was won by Sri Lanka by six wickets. In the ongoing second Test, rain is making things interesting.

Read More: Emotional Virender Sehwag Recalls Arun Jaitley’s Contribution In His Career

Here is the squad:

Lasith Malinga (c), Niroshan Dickwella (vc), Avishka Fernando, Kusal Janith Perera. Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Shehan Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka. Wanindu Hasaranga, Akila Dananjaya, Lakshan Sandakan, Isuru Udana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Lahiru Madushanaka.