Sri Lanka, on Monday (September 4), announced the 25-man provisional squad for the upcoming Test series against Pakistan, scheduled to be played in the United Arab Emirates from September 28 to October 10. One of the two Tests will be a day-night affair.
Regular skipper Dinesh Chandimal will lead the side while One-Day International captain Upul Tharanga has not been included in the squad after informing Sri Lanka Cricket of his unavailability for selection for tests for six months to focus solely on the limited-overs format.
Tharanga was appointed the captain after Angelo Mathews stepped down from the post in the aftermath of the shocking 2-3 loss in the ODIs against Zimbabwe at home. However, Tharanga’s stint as the full-time captain began disastrously with his team losing 0-5 in the recently-concluded ODI series.
The series will be Sri Lanka’s first after their recent drubbing at the hands of the Indian team. Following the narrow win against Zimbabwe, the Islanders proved to be no match for Virat Kohli & Co. as they suffered a humiliating 3-0 whitewash. While they were not expected to win the series against the world number one team, their shocking capitulation was baffling. Dinesh Chandimal & Co. conceded 600-plus totals in two of the three Tests and were asked to follow-on in the last two games before succumbing to innings defeats.
But they will be hoping that they get back to winning ways against Pakistan who are ranked sixth in Tests. Moreover, with the likes of Shaminda Eranga, Dhammika Prasad and Nuwan Pradeep included in the squad, their pace department will be bolstered.
Pradeep was a part of the squad for the series against India but was ruled out midway due to a hamstring injury. Before that, he had impressed with his bowling and had even taken a six-wicket haul. Prasad and Eranga, on the other hand, will be making a comeback after being on the sidelines due to health issues. While Prasad has been on the sidelines due to a shoulder injury, Eranga had not played since June 2016 when he was taken to hospital for heart tests after he felt uncomfortable while batting during a One-Day International against Ireland. In July, this year the ICC also cleared his bowling action.
Sri Lanka’s provisional squad:
Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal (c), Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne, Niroshan Dickwella, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Rangana Herath, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Lakshan Sandakan, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Jeffrey Vandersay, Milinda Siriwardana, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilruwan Perera, Malinda Pushpakumara, Roshen Silva, Akila Dananjaya, Charith Asalanka, Shaminda Eranga, Dhammika Prasad