In a surprising move two months ahead of the World Cup, Charith Asalanka has been sacked as captain of the T20I team, with Dasun Shanaka reinstated as skipper. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed the development while announcing the 25-member preliminary squad on Friday.
Asalanka has managed only 156 runs this year at an average of 15.60 and a strike rate of 121.88. As captain, he won 11 of his 25 matches.
Chief selector Pramodaya Wickramasingha, who replaced Upul Tharanga in the role, cited Asalanka’s dip in batting form and Shanaka’s prior leadership experience as the reasons behind the decision.
“Shanaka’s role will be that of an all-rounder. When I stepped down as a selector, Shanaka was the captain. Charith was part of our long-term plans at that time,” Wickramasingha said while unveiling the squad.
Wickramasingha added that relieving Asalanka of the captaincy burden would help him focus on rediscovering his form ahead of important home series against Pakistan and England.
“We hope he will regain his batting form. In consultation with head coach Sanath Jayasuriya, we felt this was not the time to overhaul the squad.”
Shanaka has extensive experience of leading the team. The 34-year-old led Sri Lanka in two T20 World Cups and one ODI World Cup during his first stint as white-ball captain. In 2022, under Shanaka’s leadership, Sri Lanka won the Asia Cup by defeating Pakistan in the final.
Sri Lanka squad: Dasun Shanaka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Milan Rathnayake, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth and Traveen Mathew.
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