Wanindu Hasaranga declared fit and picked for Asia Cup despite being left out of the side for Zimbabwe T20is.
Wanindu Hasaranga, a legspinning all-rounder, has been selected for Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup roster of 16. He missed Sri Lanka’s forthcoming Twenty20 International series against Zimbabwe due to a hamstring injury sustained during their previous series against Bangladesh, but it is believed he will be healthy enough to compete in the UAE.
The only other alteration to the Zimbabwe series team is the exclusion of uncapped batsman Vishen Halambage, who is replaced by Hasaranga in place of Dushan Hemantha.
Hasaranga’s reinstatement means that four players from the team that lost to Bangladesh at home have been added to the Asia Cup squad. Avishka Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Eshan Malinga were left out. Fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera joins the team, along with batsmen Nuwanidu Fernando and Kamil Mishara.
Chamika Karunaratne, who is returning to the limited-overs squads, is one of the potential seam alternatives. Dasun Shanaka, an all-round seam bowler, has also been selected once more. The selectors are unlikely to consider Angelo Mathews for the T20 World Cup next year, based on his absence. He was still available for white-ball cricket even though he had retired from Test matches earlier in the year.
With Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana as the other two main spin options, Sri Lanka also has left-arm spinning all-rounder Dunith Wellalage in the roster.
On September 13, Sri Lanka will play their first Asia Cup match against Bangladesh. They had previously won the 2022 Asia Cup and advanced to the 2023 final.