Sri Lanka recalls four seniors and a newbie for Pakistan T20s
Charith Asalanka
Former captain Charith Asalanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Dunith Wellalage and Dhananjaya de Silva are set to be recalled for the three-match home T20 International series against Pakistan next month. The squad is also expected to include young off-spinner Traveen Mathews, whose recent exploits have caught the selectors’ eye.
Dhananjaya de Silva
Asalanka’s return is the most closely watched. The left-hander played no part in the recent Tri-Series in Pakistan, having been sent home citing illness alongside seamer Asitha Fernando. What followed, however, went beyond fitness concerns. The attempted withdrawal from the tour ultimately cost Asalanka the captaincy, sparking speculation that his future in the format itself was under threat.
Asalanka’s numbers in 2025 have done little to silence critics. He has managed just 156 runs from 13 matches at an average of 15.6, a modest return for a player once seen as the fulcrum of Sri Lanka’s middle order. Yet, in recalling him, the new selection panel appears to be backing experience over form, keeping faith in Asalanka’s ability to stabilise the innings at the crucial No.5 position.
Dunith Wellalage
Pathirana’s inclusion, by contrast, is driven by his potential impact with the ball. The slingy pacer was among the biggest buys at the recent Indian Premier League auction, fetching close to US$ 2 million, approximately Rs. 600 million, underlining his value in the shortest format. Ironically, his contribution in Sri Lanka colours this year has been limited. He has played only two T20Is and picked up a single wicket. However, his sharp showing for Sharjah Warriorz in the ILT20, where he claimed five wickets in three games including a best of three for 19,
Matheesha Pathirana
appears to have worked in his favour. His pace, yorkers and death-over skills are expected to strengthen Sri Lanka’s bowling attack.
Perhaps the most surprising recall is that of Dhananjaya de Silva. Sri Lanka’s Test captain has not played a T20 international for more than a year and has been absent from the ODI set-up since the 50-over World Cup in India. However, with the middle order continuing to show signs of fragility, the selectors seem willing to reconsider his inclusion. De Silva has featured in 45 T20Is, scoring 847 runs at an average of
21.17 with a strike rate of 115.86. While those numbers are not outstanding, his experience and composure he brings in may have worked for his inclusion.
Traveen Mathew
Young off-spinner Traveen Mathews is the new face in the squad. The 21-year-old impressed at the Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament, claiming seven wickets in three matches, and is set to earn a place in the 18-man squad. The squad has been selected and sent to the approval of the Minister of Sports. Wellalage,
who also missed the Pakistan Tri-Series, led Sri Lanka at the same tournament and produced solid performances with both bat and ball. How these players will be fitted into the playing XI remains to be seen.
Leg-spinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, along with batters Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Pavan Rathnayake, are likely to miss out. Following the Pakistan series, Sri Lanka will host England for another three-match T20I series before turning their attention to the T20 World Cup, which Sri Lanka will co-host with India.