Pavan Rathnayake is back in Sri Lanka’s T20I plans, his return arriving only days after that measured 121 in the final ODI against England. Selectors clearly liked what they saw, handing the 22-year-old a place in the 16-man squad for the three-match series that starts in Colombo next week.
That good news for Rathnayake comes with harsher reality for a few regulars. Right-arm quick Nuwan Thushara, leg-spinning all-rounder Dushan Hemantha and the versatile Kamindu Mendis have all been left out. Thushara’s absence is the headline omission. He had featured in nearly every T20I squad over the past two years but has struggled for wickets – and at times for rhythm – since last September.
Coach Chris Silverwood tried to keep things diplomatic on Monday. “We’re asking bowlers to hit the pitch hard and be brave at the death. Nuwan’s numbers haven’t quite stacked up recently, but no door is shut,” he insisted. That line suggests Thushara remains very much in the conversation for the T20 World Cup, even if he is sitting out this series.
The spin attack is as you’d expect. Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana lead the way, with Dunith Wellalage holding on despite not playing a T20I since the Asia Cup. “Dunith gives us a left-arm option and lengthens the batting,” Hasaranga said last week. “That’s gold on slow pitches at home.”
There are few surprises among the seamers. Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga and Pramod Madushan have been retained, balancing extreme pace with hit-the-seam stability. Kamindu’s absence leaves the middle order looking a touch top-heavy, though the selectors have again leaned on experience: Kusal Perera returns, fit enough to play the one format he is still targeting at international level.
England arrive on Thursday and will encounter an island still fixated on squad permutations ahead of the global tournament that starts 7 February. Teams can alter World Cup squads until 31 January without ICC approval, and insiders say Sri Lanka are likely to delay final confirmation until the deadline to keep options open. That means one last audition against Jos Buttler’s side.
Sri Lanka squad: Dasun Shanaka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga.
The first T20I is in Colombo on Sunday; form, fitness and perhaps a few nerves will be under the floodlights.
