Sri Lanka were left struggling with injuries to two of their key players for the upcoming three-match T20 International series against Pakistan commencing in Rawalpindi on 9 October.
Opening batsman Pathum Nissanka and leg-spin all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga have both been ruled out of the series following results from scans undertaken.
Nissanka suffered a strain in his right leg which he sustained while fielding in the third ODI against England at The Oval, and Hasaranga had pain in his lower back that forced him to return home early from the tour of England prior to the start of the three-match ODI series.
Both players are undergoing their rehabilitation program in order to be fit for the One-Day Tri-Series against Pakistan and England starting at Rawalpindi on 18 October.
However, prior to being selected, the players will have to prove their fitness by playing in a match according to protocols set by the selection committee.
Fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera who was left out of the third ODI against England as he experienced some pain in his leg has been cleared for Pakistan. He was selected subject to fitness.
Kusal Mendis who missed the T20I series in England due to a hamstring injury will take over the captaincy for the Pakistan series from Charith Asalanka who led the side in his absence.
Mendis fills the vacancy created by Nissanka for the opener’s slot which will be contested by Kamil Mishara and Lahiru Udara.
There is a likelihood that Asalanka who was named Vice-Captain to Kusal Mendis for the England tour may lose his place in the squad to Sahan Arachchige who is currently leading a second string team to Japan for the Asian Games where Sri Lanka has qualified to play for the Bronze medal against Bangladesh on Sunday.
The Sri Lankan team is scheduled to leave for Pakistan on Sunday and Arachchige, if he is selected, will join them in Rawalpindi.
Asalanka was picked for the tour of England and made Vice-Captain to Kusal Mendis on the basis of the outstanding form he displayed in the Lanka Premier League where he helped Galle Gallants to their maiden title performing with both bat and ball scoring 385 runs and taking 6 wickets, 3 of which came in a match winning spell in the final against Jaffna Kings.
However, in England he was a disappointment, unable to score a single fifty in the six white ball matches where his highest score was 31.
Hasaranga’s place is most likely to be taken by 24-year-old right-arm leg-spinner from Jaffna, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth.
Not many changes are expected to be made from the T20I squad that toured England last month and lost the three-match series 3-0.