Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) has announced a 16-member national cricket team squad for the upcoming 2018 Asia Cup in UAE, starting from September 15.
Angelo Mathews will lead the Sri Lanka side in 2018 Asia Cup, who won the last 50-over Asia Cup in 2014 in Bangladesh. The main talking point of the squad is the experienced pacer Lasith Malinga has returned to the ODI squad who played his last international game in September 2017.
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The 35-year-old right-arm pacer Malinga was struggling with his fitness issues. Recently, he has proven his positive fitness status by featuring in the recent T20 tournaments.
Meanwhile, Niroshan Dickwella, Lahiru Kumara, Prabath Jayasuriya and Shehan Jayasuriya, who were selected in the previous home ODI series squad against South Africa, all have been dropped out from the Asia Cup squad.
Dinesh Chandimal has been also recalled in the Asia Cup squad who missed the previous home ODI series squad against South Africa due to receiving a six-match ban for breaching the ‘Player Code of Conduct and Contractual Obligation’.
In the 2018 Asia Cup, Sri Lanka is seeded in the Group B with Bangladesh and Afghanistan while India, Pakistan and the ongoing Qualifier champions will fight in the Group A.
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Sri Lanka will play the opening game of the tournament against Bangladesh on September 15. Their next game against Afghanistan will be held on September 17.
At the end of the Group Stages, top two teams from each Group will qualify for the Super Four where each team will play against all other teams once from September 21 to 26. It means once again each team will play against their one Group Stages team during the Super Four round.
The top two teams in the final points table will advance for the final that will be played on September 28 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium (Dubai).
Sri Lankan full member Squad for Asia Cup 2018:
Angelo Mathews (capt), Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Upul Tharanga, Dinesh Chandimal, Danushka Gunathilaka, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Akila Dananjaya, Dilruwan Perera, Amila Aponso, Kasun Rajitha, Suranga Lakmal, Dusmantha Chameera, Lasith Malinga
