Sri Lanka's cricket board, on Friday, June 9, 2023, named a 15-member squad for their World Cup qualifying matches in Zimbabwe, leaving out former skipper Angelo Mathews. Dasun Shanaka will captain the side, with Kusal Mendis named as vice-captain.
Angelo Mathews,36, missed out on the flight to ICC World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe after he scored 12 runs from 21 balls in his last ODI at home earlier this month when Sri Lanka lost to Afghanistan by six wickets at Hambantota in the first game of a three-match series.
The right-handed batter was dropped from the subsequent games, both won by the hosts.
Meanwhile, Dasun Shanaka will captain the side, with Kusal Mendis named as vice-captain.
All-rounder Chamika Karunaratne is back in the squad after an injury lay-off while the remainder of the squad is more or less on the lines of the squad Sri Lanka had in their last ODI assignment. This means that the youngsters in Matheesha Pathirana, Dushan Hemantha, and Sadeera Samarawickrama have been given the long rope.
Sri Lanka's first qualifying match for the 2023 ODI World Cup is on June 19 against the United Arab Emirates at Bulawayo, followed by matches against Oman, Ireland, and Scotland.
The team approved by Roshan Ranasinghe, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Sri Lanka, will leave for the African nation on Saturday, June 10.
Also, it was earlier announced that former Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene, who is a consultant coach for the national team, will travel with the squad for the crucial qualifiers.
SLC also stated that limited support staff will be sent for the qualifications, with more members recruited if the team secures a spot in the 2023 ODI World Cup, which will be contested in October-November in India.
Sri Lanka squad for ICC World Cup Qualifiers:
Dasun Shanaka (capt), Kusal Mendis, Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Dushan Hemantha
