Sri Lanka have recalled Kusal Perera and Thisara Perera in the ODI squad for the three-match series against Bangladesh, that commences shortly after the ongoing Test series between both teams. Another addition to the squad is opening batsman Danushka Gunathilaka.

All the three players have been rewarded for their good performance for the Sri Lanka A side against England Lions earlier this month. Thisara scored a match-winning 56 off only 35 balls in the first unofficial ODI in addition to taking 2/17 in the next match. On the other hand, Kusal hit two fifties in the three games he played to strengthen his claim for a spot in the team. But Gunathilaka was the most impressive performer of the lot. With scores of 64, 121*, 44 and 51, he was the top scorer of the five-match series.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews is still unavailable due to the injury while fast-bowler Nuwan Kulasekara and leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay, who were a part of squad for the ODI series in South Africa earlier this year, have been dropped. Lahiru Madushanka has also been omitted from the squad after being handed a debut in South Africa.

In Mathews’ absence, Upul Tharanga will continue to lead the team.

Sri Lanka’s bowling line-up, meanwhile, looks a bit inexperienced. The three pacers – Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara and Vikum Sanjaya (uncapped) – have a combined experience of 61 ODIs while injury-prone Lasith Malinga, who made a comeback from injury in the T20 format during the series in Australia last month, is yet to reappear in ODIs since playing against the West Indies in 2015.

The first of three matches is scheduled to be played in Dambulla, on March 25.

Sri Lanka’s Squad for Bangladesh ODIs:

Upul Tharanga (c), Niroshan Dickwella, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Asela Gunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Kusal Perera, Danushka Gunathilaka, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Vikum Sanjaya, Thisara Perera, Sachith Pathirana, Seekkuge Prassanna, Lakshan Sandakan