KJP returns
Kusal Janith Perera has returned to the ODI side after more than two years as selectors have named the batter for the 15-man Asia Cup squad. Angelo Mathews and Chamika Karunaratne, however, have failed to find a place. The squad includes left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage, who was out of favour since his wicketless series against India early this year. Sahan Arachchige, who made a match-winning half century in his maiden international innings against Netherlands at the World Cup Qualifiers last month, is only among the five standbys alongside Avishka Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Dushan Hemantha and Chamika Karunaratne.
With Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka stitching up good partnerships at the top, Kusal Janith’s returning to his usual position of batting remains doubtful. But finding a place in the playing XI will not be hard. He is expected to keep wickets.
Perera’s inclusion is not surprising as there were calls to pick more seniors into the side ahead of the World Cup. Although he played little cricket during the last two years (when he was nursing a shoulder injury), he is a proven match winner. But he is in the team at the expense of Mathews, the most senior Sri Lankan cricketer in the national setup.
Mathews was in line to be part of the ODI team this year but failed to impress on in his return to the ODI side during the New Zealand series. He played only three matches in his returned to the side and with scores of 18, 0 and 12, he has gone out of favour.
The rest of Sri Lanka’s squad looks unchanged with the likes of Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Dasun Shanaka making up a bulk of the batting. Shanaka will continue to lead the side despite concerns over his own performances. Shanaka has averages of 18.54 this year, having managed just 204 runs in 16 innings, including a career-best unbeaten 108 against India.
Maheesh Pathirana is part of a four-man pace unit that includes Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka and Lahiru Kumara. Chameera, although travelled to Zimbabwe for the qualifiers, did not play a single game due to a pectoral muscle injury. His replacement, Madushanka, did extremely well and has been rewarded with a place in the Asia Cup.
There are no surprises among the spinners, with Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana joined by the young allrounder Wellalage. Asia Cup 2023 will be hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka with eight of 12 matches scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka from August 30 to September 17. Sri Lanka will meet Bangladesh in their opening fixture in Kandy before heading to Lahore to take on Afghanistan on September 5 in their final group game.
Probable ODI squad (subject to Sport Ministry approval): Dasun Shanaka (Capt.), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Janith Perera (wk), Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dhananjaya de Silva,Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera,
Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana.