ICC T20 World Cup 2024: Wanindu Hasaranga to lead Sri Lanka, Angelo Mathews returns to squad

Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) announced a 15-member squad, to be led by Wanindu Hasaranga, for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024. The island nation is in Group D along with South Africa, Bangladesh, Netherlands, and Nepal.

The SLC have also named four travelling reserves apart from the 15 member squad. Charith Asalanka will be Hasaranga’s deputy for the marquee tournament.

The surprise inclusion was left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage, who has never played a T20 international. The squad also features the return of old warhorse Angelo Mathews, who has played close to 300 T20s in his career.

Top-order batter Kamindu Mendis, fast bowler Nuwan Thushara, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Dasun Shanaka are some of the familiar faces in the Sri Lanka squad.

However, opening batter Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera, fast bowler Binura Fernando did not find a place in the squad of 15.

Hasaranga has not been playing in the IPL due to a heel injury, but the spinner has shown signs of good recovery. The leg break bowler got back to competitive cricket when he featured in two practice matches in Sri Lanka. However, Hasaranga hasn’t bowled yet in the two matches but did bat for a while.

Sri Lanka, who won the T20 World Cup in 2014, will open their World Cup campaign against South Africa on June 3 in New York. The Hasaranga-led team will then play Bangladesh in Dallas on June 8 and against Nepal on June 12. The team will travel to the West Indies for their last league match against the Netherlands in St Lucia on June 17.

Sri Lanka squad: Wanindu Hasaranga (captain), Charith Asalanka (vice-captain), Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka.

Travelling reserves: Asitha Fernando, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Janith Liyanage.