Shanaka to lead SL in T20I tri-series after Asalanka’s illness

Shanaka to lead SL in T20I tri-series after Asalanka's illness

Sri Lanka have announced late squad changes ahead of the T20I tri-series in Pakistan, with captain Charith Asalanka and fast bowler Asitha Fernando both returning home due to illness.

The duo, part of the recently concluded ODI series, will miss the three-nation tournament featuring Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Zimbabwe. Team management and medical staff advised their withdrawal to allow treatment and recovery ahead of future commitments. In Asalanka's absence, former white-ball captain Dasun Shanaka will lead the side.

Pavan Rathnayake has been named as a replacement in the T20I squad, while Vijayakanth Viyaskanth has also been included. Viyaskanth joins with Wanindu Hasaranga still recovering from hamstring tightness suffered during the ODI leg. Viyaskanth will travel directly to Pakistan from Qatar, where he was playing for Sri Lanka A in the Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament.

Sri Lanka open their tri-series campaign against Zimbabwe on November 20 in Rawalpindi.

Earlier, SLC instructed players to continue matches in Pakistan after some touring members expressed safety concerns following a suicide bombing in Islamabad. The board engaged with PCB and local authorities, assuring adequate security arrangements before directing the team to proceed. Schedule changes were made: the second and third ODIs moved to November 14 and 16, and the tri-series start shifted to November 18.