Wanindu Hasaranga, Sri Lanka’s premier leg-spinning all-rounder, will not play in the forthcoming Twenty20 International series against Bangladesh, which starts on Thursday, July 10. Hasaranga was sidelined for the T20I stage of the all-format series after suffering a hamstring injury to his right leg while batting in the last ODI of the just finished three-match series.
Hasaranga was instrumental in Sri Lanka’s 2-1 victory in the ODI series, particularly in the opening ODI, where he caused the visitors to break their record and helped the hosts win. Even though he had the injury during the last ODI, he was still able to bowl and had a strong stint, taking 2 for 35. With nine wickets in three games at an incredible average of 11.67, he concluded the series.
Kusal Mendis’ dominant 124 off just 115 balls and Charith Asalanka’s steady 58, which added 124 runs for the fourth wicket, helped Sri Lanka record a competitive total of 285/7 in the final ODI. Bangladesh fell to 186 all out in 39.4 overs as a result. Asitha Fernando (3/33) and Dushmantha Chameera (3/51), the hosts’ fast bowlers, annihilated the top order to win the match and the series.
The Charith Asalanka-led team has chosen to enter the 20-over leg of the series with a reduced roster and no substitute after Hasaranga was ruled out.
He will go back to the High Performance Centre in Colombo to start his recovery.
For the T20I series, Asalanka will captain Sri Lanka. As Sri Lanka attempts to reassemble for forthcoming international matches, the roster has a number of changes from the one that played New Zealand earlier this year.
The three matches will take place at three different locations: the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on July 10 will host the first match, followed by Dambulla on July 13 and the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on July 16 to conclude the series.
Sri Lanka’s team for the T20I series against Bangladesh
Eshan Malinga, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamika Karunaratne, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Binura Fernando, Avishka Fernando, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, and Charith Asalanka (c)
India
