The Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) has announced a 16-member squad for the ODI series against Bangladesh. The two teams are playing a two-match Test series which will be followed by three ODIs and three T20Is.
Sadeera Samarawickrama and Dilshan Madushanka are back in the ODI squad. They last played an ODI series for Sri Lanka against New Zealand in November 2024. Samarawickrama last played for Sri Lanka A Â in Abu Dhabi, which also featured Ireland A and Afghanistan A. The left-arm pacer also played in that series.
Meanwhile, the squad also has Milan Rathnayake who played in the first Test against Bangladesh but was ruled out of the second Test with a side strain. His availability will depend upon his fitness.
Charith Asalanka To Lead SL Against Bangladesh
Nuwanidu Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Mohamed Shiraz are the players missing for this series. They played in the ODI series against Australia earlier this year. Charith Asalanka will continue to lead the side in the ODI series against Bangladesh. Pacer Ehsan Malinga keeps his place in the ODI side after impressing in the IPL playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranaga, Maheesh Theekshana form the spin-bowling core for Sri Lanka. They also have the likes of Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis and Jeffrey Vandersay who can roll their arm over as well. Asitha Fernando is the third pacer in the side apart from Malinga and Madushanka.
Also Read:Â Sri Lankan All-Rounder Angelo Mathews Announces Retirement from Test Cricket
Sri Lanka 4th, Bangladesh 10th In Latest ICC ODI Rankings
Heading into this series, Sri Lanka are placed fourth in the ICC ODI rankings while Bangladesh are tenth. The first two ODI matches will be played in Colombo on July 2 and 5. The final ODI will be played in Pallekele on July 8. Pallekele hosts the first T20I on July 10 followed by the next two games in Dambulla (July 13) and Colombo (July 16).
Sri Lanka ODI Squad
Charith Asalanka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranaga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Milan Rathnayake, Dilshan Madushanka, Asitha Fernando, Eshan Malinga
