Veteran Sri Lanka pacer Suranga Lakmal has returned to the national Test squad, as the Sri Lanka Cricket has on Tuesday (January 14) named the 15-man squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Zimbabwe starting next week in January.

Lakmal, who has bagged 141 Test wickets for the Islanders so far, missed the historic two-match Test series in Pakistan due to dengue last year.

The middle-order batsman Kusal Perera has once again dropped from the national Test squad after Pakistan series following his failure against New Zealand, scoring 1, 23, 0 and 0 at home.

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Meanwhile, the rest of the line-up is almost expected with Lanka naming Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella in the 15-man squad for the Zimbabwe tour.

It will be the hosts’ first international assignment its suspension was lifted by the ICC.

The two-match Test series will get underway with the first Test from January 19 followed by the second and final Test on January 27 with both Tests will be held at Harare Sports Club.

Sri Lanka Squad:
Dimuth Karunaratne (Captain), Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Dilruwan Perera, Lasith Embuldeniya, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Lakshan Sandakan, and Suranga Lakmal

(With AFP Inputs)