The SLC named only one injury replacement.
All-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva and fast-bowler Nuwan Pradeep have been ruled out of Sri Lanka’s upcoming two-match Twenty20 International series against the West Indies on Monday (March 2).
Taking to Twitter on Monday, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced that De Silva and Pradeep were ruled out of the home T20Is against West Indies with a wrist and a hamstring injury respectively that they sustained during the third and final One Day International on March 1.
The Lankan board has recalled the pacer Asitha Fernando as the replacement for Pradeep who will be out of action for six weeks after clutching his leg while bowling fifth over against West Indies. The SLC also confirmed that they will not be calling up a replacement for de Silva.
However, there was not given an expected time frame for the all-rounder's return from the wrist injury, but he is reportedly expected to return in time for the England Tests beginning on March 19.
The T20I series will get underway on Wednesday, March 4 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy – the venue will also host the second and final T20I on March 6.
The hosts have already won the ODI series 3-0 and they will start their T20I campaign as favorite against the West Indies at home before shifting their focus to Test format against England.
Noteworthy, Fernando, who has an only international appearance in an ODI in 2017 against Zimbabwe and has been in and out of Lanka squads across all three formats because of the pecking order, has been given the opportunity due to his recent first-class form. He has taken 26 wickets at an average of 17.61 across four matches in the ongoing Premier League Tournament.
Updated Sri Lanka squad for West Indies T20Is:
Lasith Malinga (capt.), Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera, Shehan Jayasuriya, Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Isuru Udana, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara
(With ESPNcricinfo Inputs)