Pavan Rathnayake has earned a recall to Sri Lanka’s T20I squad for the three-match series against England, rewarded for his composed 121 off 115 balls in the third ODI. His return comes at the expense of fast bowler Nuwan Thushara and batting allrounder Kamindu Mendis, both of whom have been left out of the T20I set-up. Legspinner Dushan Hemantha has also been omitted.
Left-arm spinning allrounder Dunith Wellalage, meanwhile, has retained his place despite not featuring in a T20I since September. He joins Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana as Sri Lanka’s frontline spin options, with Dhananjaya de Silva and Charith Asalanka providing additional finger-spin support.
Sri Lanka’s pace attack will feature Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Pramod Madushan and Eshan Malinga. Thushara’s absence is notable, given his regular involvement in T20I squads over the past two years, though it follows a run of modest returns since September.
The batting line-up is otherwise largely unchanged, with Kusal Perera returning in the only international format he currently plays.
Sri Lanka are yet to name their squad for the T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin on February 7. Teams have until January 31 to make changes to their squads, after which ICC approval will be required.
Sri Lanka squad for England T20Is:
Dasun Shanaka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga.
