COLOMBO (Dunya News) – The Sri Lanka Cricket has announced a major change ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, appointing Dasun Shanaka as captain until the conclusion of the tournament.
The decision replaces Charith Asalanka, who has been removed from the captaincy but remains in the squad.
The move to replace Asalanka had been under consideration by the previous selection committee led by Upul Tharanga. However, the newly appointed chief selector, Pramodya Wickramasinghe, confirmed Shanaka’s leadership as he revealed the preliminary 25-member squad for the World Cup.
"We decided that Dasun Shanaka should be captain until the end of the World Cup, after discussions with head coach Sanath Jayasuriya," Wickramasinghe said. "The previous committee had selected 25 players, and we chose to maintain that same list as our preliminary squad."
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Shanaka, who served as stand-in captain during last month’s tri-series in Pakistan when Asalanka was sidelined due to illness, is being viewed primarily as an all-rounder. "We will work with Sanath Jayasuriya to define Shanaka’s role in the team," Wickramasinghe added.
Asalanka, captain since the last World Cup in mid-2024, had limited success in the T20 format, scoring 156 runs in 12 innings this year at a strike rate of 122. Despite his removal from the captaincy, he remains a key part of Sri Lanka’s plans.
The preliminary squad also marks the return of Niroshan Dickwella, who last played for Sri Lanka in March 2023. He has been included to strengthen the top order and provide wicketkeeping options.
T20 World Cup squad
Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Milan Rathnayake, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Traveen Mathew.