Sri Lanka, on Saturday (August 20), announced their squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2022. The fifteenth edition of the continental championship is scheduled to begin on August 27. Sri Lanka will be in action on day one of the tournament when they lock horns against Afghanistan in Dubai. The Islanders have been placed in Group B along with Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
On the other hand, India, Pakistan and the qualifier are placed in Group A. Asia Cup 2022 was originally scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka. However, the Asian Cricket Council had to shift the venue to United Arabia Emirates due to the political unrest in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Cricket, however, remain the host of the upcoming tournament.
Sri Lanka squad for Asia Cup 2022:
Talking about the Sri Lanka squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2022, Sri Lanka Cricket have named a strong 15-member team for the tournament. Dasun Shanaka will be leading the five-time Asia Cup champions in the forthcoming event while Charith Asalanka has been appointed as the vice-captain.
Sri Lanka have named senior batsman Danish Chandimal in the squad. Chandimal was not a part of Sri Lanka’s last T20I assignment which was the home series against Australia and had last played a T20I in February this year. SLC have also picked 19-year old pacer Matheesha Pathirana in the squad. The impressive youngster has been drawing comparisons with the legendary Lasith Malinga due to his slingy bowling action.
Uncapped 21-year-old left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka has found a place in the squad. Another notable inclusion in the squad is Ashen Bandara, who last represented Sri Lanka in July 2021 in a T20I against India.
Sri Lanka squad:
Dasun Shanaka (c), Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Ashen Bandara, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrama, Chamika Karunaratne, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwanidu Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Dinesh Chandimal.