Cricket: Sri Lanka picks squad for T20 World Cup

Senior batsman Dinesh Chandimal has been recalled to the T20 World Cup along with off-spinner Akila Dananjaya, as Sri Lanka picked its squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which will follow the Qualifiers to be held later this month. 

The selectors of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have picked a squad of 19 players including four standbys for the ICC Men’s World T20 2021 to be held in the United Arab Emirate starting next month.

Chandimal, who last featured in a T20 international in March against the West Indies is in the squad to face South Africa in a three-match series but whether he could make it to the playing XI is left to be seen.

Mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana, who had a dream debut against South Africa claiming four wickets for 37 runs is among the 15-man squad. 

He is expected to play a key role in Sri Lanka’s campaign along with Wanindu Hasaranga and Akila Dananjaya. 

Bhanuka Rajapaksa also has retained his place in the side.

Sri Lanka’s seam bowling attack will be led by Dushmantha Chameera and includes Nuwan Pradeep and Binura Fernando. 

Chamika Karunaratne and Dasun Shanaka  are the two fast-bowling allrounders.

The selectors have also named uncapped leg-spinner Pulina Tharanga among the four standbys which also includes Lahiru Kumara, Lahiru Madushanka and Praveen Jayawickrema.

ICC allows all participating countries to make any changes to their original squads, if necessary, until October 10. 

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 will be held in the UAE and Oman from October 17 to November 14.

Sri Lanka will play Namibia, Netherlands, and Ireland in Group 'A' of Round 1 while Bangladesh will feature in Group 'B' of Round 1 along with Scotland, Oman, and Papua New Guinea. 

The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super 12 stage.

T20 World Cup squad: Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Akila Dananjaya, Maheesh Theekshana, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Binura Fernando, Praveen Jayawickrema
Standbys: Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara, Lahiru Madushanka, Pulina Tharanga,