Leg-spinning all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has been named in Sri Lanka’s 16-man squad for next month’s Asia Cup in the UAE, with team management confident the hamstring strain he suffered against Bangladesh will have healed in time.
“We’ve monitored his rehab closely and the indications are positive,” Sri Lanka Cricket’s medical staff said in a short statement. “Hasaranga is expected to be fully fit before the squad departs.”
The selectors have resisted any late tinkering. Hasaranga comes in for fellow leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha, while uncapped batter Vishen Halambage also misses out from the group that will face Zimbabwe in Colombo this week. Otherwise, the Asia Cup party is unchanged.
That means four players who featured in the recent home defeat to Bangladesh – Avishka Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Jeffrey Vandersay and Eshan Malinga – remain on the sidelines. Nuwanidu Fernando, left-hander Kamil Mishara and quick Dushmantha Chameera are retained after impressing in training.
Chief selector Pramodya Wickramasinghe explained the thinking: “We felt we needed an extra power-play option with the ball, and Hasaranga gives us that balance straightaway. Chameera offers pace up front, while Nuwanidu and Kamil strengthen the middle order.”
Bowling mix
With Hasaranga’s return the spin attack suddenly looks robust: mystery off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana and left-armer Dunith Wellalage provide variety, and all three are comfortable batting at No.7 or below. The seam stable is led by Chameera, with Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana and the recalled Chamika Karunaratne fighting for two spots.
Dasun Shanaka again features as a seam-bowling all-rounder, though his finishing role with the bat remains under scrutiny after an inconsistent year. The continued absence of Angelo Mathews, who retired from Tests but kept the white-ball door ajar, hints the selectors are planning for the T20 World Cup without him.
Sri Lanka have recent pedigree in the Asia Cup – champions in 2022 and runners-up in 2023 – yet remain a side in transition. Head coach Chris Silverwood noted last week, “Results have been mixed, but the group is learning quickly. The Asia Cup will show us exactly where we stand before the World Cup cycle intensifies.”
Opening assignment
Sri Lanka start against Bangladesh on 13 September, a repeat of the fixture that ended their title defence last year. A win would set up a likely Super Four berth; defeat piles pressure on their remaining group match against Afghanistan.
Hasaranga, meanwhile, is keen to make up for lost time. Speaking during a rehabilitation session in Kandy he said, “Injuries are part of the game. I’ve worked hard with the physios and can’t wait to bowl again.”
Squad in full: Charith Asalanka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana.
