Sri Lanka have opted for fresh batting energy on their short trip to Zimbabwe, handing uncapped Pavan Rathnayake a maiden call-up and recalling Nuwanidu Fernando for the two ODIs and three T20Is in Harare later this month.
Head coach Chris Silverwood put it plainly earlier in the week: “We need runs from the middle order, and we’re willing to give in-form players the chance to do it.” With the ODI World Cup still two years away, selectors have decided this is the moment to widen the pool.
Key details first
• Two ODIs: 29 and 31 August
• Three T20Is: 3, 5 and 7 September
• All five matches at Harare Sports Club
• Wanindu Hasaranga out – hamstring
• 16-man squad, Charith Asalanka leads
Why Rathnayake and Fernando?
Rathnayake, who turns 23 on Sunday, has piled up domestic runs all winter. His unbeaten 158 in the Major Clubs Limited Overs final for Colombo CC was the headline, but a hundred against Australia A in Townsville mattered more to the panel. He is also comfortable clearing the ropes, a handy trait on Zimbabwe’s relatively small grounds.
Fernando, 25, has floated around the edges of the national set-up since debuting in early 2023. A pair of half-centuries in the recent SLC T20 League reinforced the feeling that he is ready for another look. The right-hander also made 82 against Australia A in Darwin last month – “a pressure knock,” batting coach Naveed Nawaz called it.
Spin mix without Hasaranga
Hasaranga’s lingering hamstring strain was never likely to heal in time, so the selectors have leaned on variety rather than a like-for-like replacement. Off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana and leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay carry the frontline load, with all-rounders Dunith Wellalage, Kamindu Mendis and skipper Asalanka offering left-arm, off-spin and part-time options respectively. It feels a touch experimental, but conditions in Harare can reward spin late in the day.
Seam resources
The attack is led by the evergreen Dushmantha Chameera, backed by left-armer Dilshan Madushanka and the reliable Asitha Fernando. Milan Rathnayake, another seam-bowling all-rounder, keeps his place after tidy outings against Bangladesh.
Who misses out
Avishka Fernando and youngster Eshan Malinga drop out after lean returns, while the medical staff advised against rushing Hasaranga. “We considered flying him in just for the T20s, but sense prevailed,” team doctor Daminda Attanayake noted.
Slightly bigger picture
With no Asia Cup this year, Zimbabwe offers a low-stakes window to test combinations. The ODI Super League is parked for now, yet every side still tracks ranking points and, perhaps more importantly, confidence. Asalanka understands the task: “We have to treat this like a World Cup qualifier – standards won’t drop just because stakes are different,” he said at training in Colombo.
Squad in full
Charith Asalanka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Nuwanidu Fernando, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Pavan Rathnayake, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Milan Rathnayake, Dilshan Madushanka, Asitha Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera.
What to watch
• Can Rathnayake translate domestic power hitting to international attacks?
• Does Fernando finally cement the No. 3 or 4 spot that has felt vacant since the 2023 World Cup?
• Without Hasaranga’s wickets in the middle overs, who steps up?
The answers will emerge soon enough in Harare’s dry winter sun. For now, selectors have given two in-form batters a deserved crack, while keeping one eye on 2027.
