Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup preparations have been hampered by Wanindu Hasaranga’s hamstring injury, which has forced him to miss the T20I series against Zimbabwe. The same issue kept him out of the T20I series against Bangladesh in Colombo in July. Hasaranga was left out of Sri Lanka’s 16-man team for the two-match ODI series against Zimbabwe because he was still healing from his injury.
The two One-Day Internationals will be played on August 29 and 31, respectively, before the T20I series begins in the first week of September.
Wanindu Hasaranga will now want to recover in time for the 2025 Asia Cup, which starts on September 9.
Sri Lanka is placed in Group B of the continental competition alongside Bangladesh, Hong Kong, and Afghanistan.
Coming back to the squad for the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, Charith Asalanka will continue as the captain, with experienced names like Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka and Dasun Shanaka providing stability. In Hasaranga’s absence, the onus will fall on young all-rounders Dunith Wellalage and Kamindu Mendis to step up as spin-bowling all-rounders. The tour also serves as an opportunity for fringe players like Kamil Mishara and Vishen Halambage to impress the selectors in the hope of selection to the Asia Cup squad.
In the seam-bowling department, all eyes will be on Dushmantha Chameera, who will look to spearhead the attack with his experience. The likes of Nuwan Thushara and Matheesha Pathirana will look to sharpen their skills against the Chevrons, as they will have an important role to play in the Asia Cup. Sri Lanka will look to bounce back strongly after losing the T20I series against Bangladesh 1-2.
Sri Lanka squad for Zimbabwe T20Is: Charith Asalanka (C), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Vishen Halambage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana.
India
