T20 World Cup 2021: Sri Lanka Add Five More Players In The Squad
Published - 01 Oct 2021, 11:46 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:57 AM
Pathum Nissanka, Minod Bhanuka, Ashen Bandara, Lakshan Sandakan and Ramesh Mendis are the five players who have been added to Sri Lanka‘s original squad for the T20 World Cup.
The total count for their contingent has reached 23 players, including four reserves, and after one player, Lahiru Madushanka, who has been dropped. Madhushanka was part of the original squad but failed to recover in time from the fractured collarbone he had suffered in the home series versus South Africa.
Of the five new additions, only wrist-spinner Sandakan has any decent amount of T20I experience having played 20 T20Is. Rest, the other four have just 15 caps combined. They, however, provide the much-needed injury cover.
Reserve-keeper Minod Bhanuka, Ramesh Mendis and Pathum Nissanka were part of Sri Lanka’s recent home series defeat to South Africa. They returned without any noticeable performances and were omitted from the initial squad.
Ashen Bandara featured in the T20I series win over India at home. Sandakan’s last T20I international outing came in July in England and both he and Bandara were omitted from Sri Lanka’s home series against South Africa.
Sri Lanka will play against Namibia, Ireland and Netherlands in the ‘Round 1’ qualifiers at the T20 World Cup. Before that, they are also scheduled to play two T20Is against Oman on October 7 and 9.
The Dasun Shanaka-led side will leave for Oman on October 3, and begin its campaign against Namibia on October 18 in Abu Dhabi.
Sri Lanka’s modified squad for T20 World Cup 2021:
Dasun Shanaka (C), Dhananjaya De Silva, Kusal Janith Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kamindu Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, Praveen Jayawickrema, Maheesh Theekshana, Minod Bhanuka, Ramesh Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Lakshan Sandakan, Ashen Bandara
Reserves: Lahiru Kumara, Binura Fernando, Akila Dananjaya, Pulina Tharanga
