Sri Lanka, the 2022 Asia Cup champions, has unveiled its 15-man roster for the forthcoming T20 World Cup in Australia. Dushmantha Chameera and Lahiru Kumara, who were missing from the recently finished continental championship due to injury concerns, are back to the squad.
After a humiliating loss to Afghanistan in their opening game, Dasun Shanaka's team entered the 15th edition of the Asia Cup as the underdogs, and their campaign was on thin ice. However, the resilient Lankan team defeated tournament favorites Pakistan and India on their route to a historic sixth Asia Cup title by winning five straight games against all odds.
Despite their injuries, fast pacers Dushmantha Chameera and Lahiru Kumara have been named to the squad for the T20 WC by the team management as a chance. In the shortest version of the game, Chameera has been one of their top fast bowlers, and his return to the lineup in Australian conditions will be a huge help for the 2014 T20 World Champions.
If Chameera and Kumara are unable to recover in time for the competition, Dilshan Madushanka and Pramod Madushan, who shone in the Asia Cup, have been added to the squad and will be leading the charge. The Sri Lankan squad management has picked five backup players, including seasoned batter Dinesh Chandimal.
Given their prior successes in the game's shortest format, the Islanders are once again overwhelming underdogs for the competition Down Under. Shanaka will be in charge of the talented group of players who are hoping to advance far in the ICC big tournament.
T20 World Cup - Sri Lanka's squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera (Subject to fitness), Lahiru Kumara (Subject to fitness), Dilshan Madushanka, Pramod Madushan