Wanindu Hasaranga has been picked as Sri Lanka’s new T20I captain for the upcoming series against Zimbabwe at home, as per Sports Pavilion. Zimbabwe after a shambolic World Cup performance are coming back to playing international cricket.
The T20I series against Zimbabwe will be Sri Lanka’s first international assignment since the World Cup. The Islanders finished ninth in the World Cup with losses against all the top-ranked sides and Afghanistan.
The Sri Lankan Cricket Board looking to make a few changes to the squad has picked a new T20I captain in Wanindu Hasaranga who was injured throughout the World Cup and missed the tournament due to injury.
The Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee headed by Upul Tharanga has an idea to name 22 member ODI and T20 cricket preliminary squad to focus on the forthcoming Zimbabwe cricket series which will commence on January 6.
Based on the performance of ongoing Major Ccubs limited over cricket tournaments selectors have made this selection and all five selection committee members are going to see the Major club matches and discuss with Provincial selectors to make the selections.
Wanindu Hasaranga Named Sri Lanka’s T20I Skipper
EXCLUSIVE ?
?? Preliminary T20 Squad for Zimbabwe tour of Sri Lanka 2024
?? New T20 Captain – @Wanindu49
IN – @Angelo69Mathews , @BhanukaRajapak3 , Akila Dhananjaya , Binura Fernando , Nuwan Thushara included in the Preliminary Squad. #sportspavilionlk #SLvsZIM #SLvZIM pic.twitter.com/CQi7MpzmQd
— DANUSHKA ARAVINDA (@DanuskaAravinda) December 29, 2023
After naming the 22-member squad they will prune down it to 15 members to get approval from the Sports Minister Harin Fernando. Sri Lanka will play 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is matches in the series which are scheduled to be played at the R.Premadasa International cricket stadium.
The series against Zimbabwe will also mark the comeback of Hasaranga. Angelo Mathews, the former Sri Lankan skipper, and Bhauka Rajapaksa the T20I specialists were a part of the T20I squad that was announced. Binura Fernando , Nuwan Thushara. Thusara recently bagged an IPL deal with Mumbai Indians and this international assignment will be a good opportunity to showcase his skillset.
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Charith Asalanka was named the vice-captain of the T20I squad. Dasun Shanaka led Sri Lanka in the World Cup but was ruled out of the tournament halfway with an injury. Kusal Mendis who was named the skipper for the remainder of the tournament is a part of this squad as a specialist keeper.
Maheesh Theeshana will pair up once again with Wanindu Hasaranga who formed a formidable spin twin before Hasaranga got injured. The likes of Dunith Wellalege, Chamika Karunaratne, Matheesha Pathirana, and Dusmantha Chameera are also a part of the Sri Lankan preliminary squad.
The ODI series between the two countries is scheduled to be held on January 6, 8, and 11 and the Twenty20 series is scheduled to be held on January 14, 16, and 18.
The team has a great chance to win the ODI and the T20I series at home against the minnows after their World Cup heartbreak. Injuries coupled with the bad form of key players were the reason behind the team’s lackluster performance in the tournament. Sri Lanka made it to the final of the Asia Cup 2023 before the World Cup but lost to India.
Sri Lanka’s Preliminary Squad For Zimbabwe Series
Kusal Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nishanka, Nuvanindu Fernando, Sadheera Samarawickrama, Dasun Shanaka, Vanindu Hasaranga, Charith Asanka, Chamika Karunaratne, Dunith Vellalage, Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Mahish Theekshana, Geoffrey Vandersay, Akila Dhananjaya, Pramod Madushan, Dushmantha Chamira, Dilshan Madhusanka, Sahan Arachchige, Chamika Gunasekara, Asita Fernando.
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