Recuperating Pathirana named in Sri Lanka T20 World Cup squad, Hasaranga to lead

Wanindu Hasaranga, who was named as the Sri Lanka T20I captain in December last year, will lead the team in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 in West Indies and USA. Middle-order batter Charith Asalanka has been named as his deputy while injured Matheesha Pathirana has also been included in the squad.

Colombo: Pacer Matheesha Pathirana, who is recovering from a hamstring niggle, was on Thursday named in Sri Lanka's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which will be led by Wanindu Hasaranga, who is also returning from an injury.

Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) Pathirana was ruled out of the ongoing 17th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with a hamstring injury and returned immediately to Colombo for rehabilitation. He played just six matches for CSK in IPL 2024 and took 13 wickets at an economy rate of 7.68 including a five-for against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

The 21-year-old had first sustained the injury during Sri Lanka's away T20I series against Bangladesh in March. The left-arm pacer Dilshan Madhushanka too has been included in the squad despite not getting a game time due to a hamstring injury that led to him being ruled out of the IPL. Madhushanka was signed by Mumbai Indians but was replaced by South African pacer Kwena Maphaka.

Similarly, skipper Wanindu Hasaranga too is returning from chronic heel pain in his left leg, which forced him to miss the ongoing IPL. The leg-spinner was drafted in by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 1.5 crore after Royal Challengers Bengaluru released him after IPL 2023.

All-rounder Chameera Karunratne and Akila Dhananjaya have missed the opportunity to represent their country in the T20 showdown.

Sri Lanka squad: Wanindu Hasaranga (captain), Charith Asalanka (vice-captain), Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madhushanka.

Travelling reserves:Asitha Fernando, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Janith Liyanage.