Cricket: Sri Lanka names 15-man squad for ICC WC Qualifiers

The Selection Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) selected a 15-member squad under the captaincy of Dasun Shanaka to compete in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier tournament to be held in Zimbabwe.

The squad includes former skipper and current Test skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, who comes in as an opening batsman alongside Pathum Nissanka.

The team has two wicketkeeper options in Kusal Mendis, the deputy skipper, and Sadeera Samarawickrama, who is in good form with the bat.

Angelo Mathews, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Kusal Janith Perera and Avishka Fernando have failed to make the cut in the side which includes four pacemen and two spinners.  

Sri Lanka will play against the UAE, Oman, Ireland and Scotland at Queen’s Sports Club in Harare with the intention of qualifying for the main draw, where two teams will earn the slots through the qualifiers.

The team will leave for Zimbabwe on Saturday (10).

The Squad: Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Kusal Mendis (wk/vice captain), Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama ( wk), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Dushan Hemantha