Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced an 18-member squad for the upcoming Test series against Pakistan at home. Pakistan is scheduled to play two Tests in Sri Lanka in Galle from July 16 and in Colombo PSS from July 24 onwards.
Sri Lanka has picked Prabath Jayasuriya and Dunith Wellalage, two relatively inexperienced spinners over the likes of Praveen Jayawickrama and Lasith Embuldeniya. Jayasuriya made a memorable debut against Australia recently, picking 12 wickets and helping Sri Lanka win by an innings in the second Test.
Ramesh Mendis and Maheesh Theekshana were the other two spinners in the Sri Lanka squad.
Apart from this, all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva, pacer Asitha Fernando, and spinner Jeffrey Vandersay are all named in the squad and are in contention to return to Sri Lanka's XI after the trio missed the second Test against Australia due to Covid.
Batter Pathum Nissanka was also picked in the Sri Lanka squad though he had tested positive for Covid midway through the second Test against Australia. The batting remains the same with Dimuth Karunaratne captaining the side, with the likes of Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, and Kusal Mendis providing batting experience.
Pakistan is one spot behind Sri Lanka in fourth place on the World Championship standings and is still well in contention of reaching next year's final.
Sri Lanka Squad:
Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Prabath Jayasuriya, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay
