Dinesh Chandimal, the Test captain of Sri Lanka, will miss the upcoming Asia Cup 2018 after he failed to heal sufficiently from a finger injury sustained during the SLC T20 League 2018.
Meanwhile, wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella will slot in Chandimal’s place. The six-team tournament will commence from September 15 at the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Sri Lanka will play the curtain-raiser against Bangladesh while they will clash with Afghanistan on September 17.
However, Dinesh Chandimal was in doubt for the Asia Cup 2018 but the selectors decided to keep him in the provisional squad. But medical assessment states that his broken finger needs more treatment to recuperate.
Chandimal, who missed the South Africa series at home, owing to his six-match ban for ball tampering charges and bringing the game into disrepute, last took part in the solitary T20I against Proteas. Meanwhile, his anticipated full-fledged return though was during the team’s Asia Cup 2018 campaign in the UAE.
Furthermore, Sri Lanka will also miss the services of their offspinner Akila Dananjaya for some part of the tournament. Dananjaya is expecting his first child during the initial stages of the tournament.
The final of the Asia Cup 2018 will be on September 28 at the Dubai International Stadium. Sri Lanka will be keen to their recent form in the tournament and come out with positive results.
Updated squad: Angelo Mathews(c), Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Upul Tharanga, Niroshan Dickwella, Danushka Gunathilaka, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Akila Dananjaya, Dilruwan Perera, Amila Aponso, Kasun Rajitha, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera, Lasith Malinga