Cricket: Jeevan Mendis recalled, no place for Malinga in T20s

Sri Lanka cricket has recalled allrounder Jeevan Mendis after a lapse of two years for the upcoming two-match T20 series in Bangladesh. 

However Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Selectors have not picked former T20 skipper Lasith Malinga while not giving any reasons for his exclusion. 

Sri Lanka Limited Overs skipper Angelo Mathews will not be available for the remainder of the series in Bangladesh, due to his longstanding hamstring injury.

Mathews' condition will be observed prior before picking the squad for the Nidahas Trophy 2018 Tri-Series, that will also feature India and Bangladesh in Sri Lanka. 

Jeevan Mendis last turned out for Sri Lanka during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in Australia and New Zealand and the last T20 he played for the country was four years back. 

In addition to Mendis spinner Jeffery Vandersay and fast bowler Asitha Fernando have been called in to the T20 squad.

Test captain Dinesh Chandimal has been named skipper of the T20 side against Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka will take on Bangladesh in the two T20 games scheduled for February 15 and 18.

Sri Lanka T20 squad: Dinesh Chandimal (Captain), Upul Tharanga, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Perera, Thisara Perera, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella, Dasun Shanaka, Isuru Udana, Shehan Madushanka, Jeffrey Vandersay, Akila Dananjaya, Amila Aponso, Jeevan Mendis, Asitha Fernando.