Shanaka replaces Asalanka as Sri Lanka captain for T20 World Cup

Sri Lanka have sacked Charith Asalanka as the T20I captain and appointed Dasun Shanaka in the role for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

"We decided that Dasun Shanaka should be captain until the end of the World Cup, after talking to head coach Sanath Jayasuriya as well," Sri Lanka Cricket chief selector Upul Tharanga Wickramasinghe said.

"The previous committee had chosen a list of 25 players. We spoke to Jerome Jayaratne, the head of high performance, as well as Sanath Jayasuriya. We decided to announce that same 25 as a preliminary squad for the World Cup."

Asalanka had led the side during the recently concluded tri-series in Pakistan before returning home due to illness, prompting Shanaka to step in as stand-in captain.

Asalanka has been included in the World Cup squad, while selectors are viewing Shanaka primarily as an all-rounder.

"We are looking at Dasun as an allrounder. We'll have to talk to Sanath Jayasuriya and work out what is required of him," Wickramasinghe added.

Sri Lanka preliminary World Cup squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Niroshan Dickwella, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Milan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Traveen Mathew