Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
SRI Lanka Cricket yesterday named a strong squad captained by Charith Asalanka to travel to Zimbabwe for the white ball series set to begin next week.
The tourists maintained faith in the tried and trusted although opening batter Avishka Fernando and speedster Eshan Malinga were axed from the 16-member squad announced by the selectors.
But 25-year-old top-order batter Nuwanidu Fernando, who last featured in an ODI for Sri Lanka back in 2024 against New Zealand, made a comeback to the squad.
The Indian Ocean Islanders will travel without star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga who has been ruled out of the upcoming white-ball contest because of an injury.
Hasaranga, who ironically made his international debut as a teenager against Zimbabwe in 2017, has failed to recover on time from the hamstring injury that he picked up during a recent T20I series against Bangladesh.
As a result, the star all-rounder has not been able to return to action as he was also ruled out of the three-match series against Bangladesh after sustaining the injury last month.
His omission though was largely expected as the islanders announced a 16-member squad that is set to leave the country today for the series in Harare.
Zimbabwe will remember Hasaranga as the 19-year-old schoolboy who rocked their boat on debut in Galle in 2017 when he led the Lions to a seven-wicket win after bundling Zimbabwe out for 155 runs.
Hasaranga was a handful to the Chevrons batters, rewriting the history books in the process when he became the youngest cricketer to bag a hat-trick on ODI debut; joining the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Taijul Islam as the hat-trick takers on debut.
The white-ball series to be held in Harare, features two One-Day Internationals scheduled for August 29 and 31, followed by three Twenty20 Internationals on September 3, 6 and 7.
All five matches will be played at Harare Sports Club.
The Asalanka-led side are returning back to ODI action on the back of a 2-1 series win against Bangladesh last month at home.
Sri Lanka are using the tour as part of their preparations for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 set to run from September 9-28 in the United Arab Emirates. Sri Lanka will be one of the eight teams that will be battling it out for the coveted trophy.
The Asia Cup 2025 will be played in T20I format and will also provide a platform for dress rehearsal ahead of next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
Zimbabwe are also looking forward to hosting the Indian Ocean islanders, who they last played in limited overs cricket in January 2024.
The T20I leg of the series holds particular importance for Zimbabwe, serving as vital preparation ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final, which the country will host from September 19 to October 4.
This regional tournament will determine the last two African qualifiers for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Zimbabwe are still finalising their squad for the Sri Lanka Series.
Sri Lanka squad:
Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawick-rama, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Milan Rathnayake, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka
