Wanindu Hasaranga will lead Sri Lanka’s cricket team at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. He was appointed captain in December last year. His deputy will be Charith Asalanka, a solid middle-order batter. The tournament will be held in the West Indies and the USA.
Angelo Mathews, a seasoned player, will bring experience to the team. He came back to T20 cricket in January after almost three years away. This is his sixth T20 World Cup, and he was part of the team when Sri Lanka won in 2014.
Here’s the Sri Lanka squad for the T20 World Cup: Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Charith Asalanka (vc), 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.
The squad has plenty of leadership experience. Former limited-overs captain Dasun Shanaka, current ODI captain Kusal Mendis, and current Test captain Dhananjaya de Silva are among them.
Sri Lanka aims for a balanced team. Hasaranga is an all-rounder who bowls spin. Others in this category include Dunith Wellalage, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Kamindu Mendis. Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka are the pace-bowling all-rounders.
In the pace department, Matheesha Pathirana and Nuwan Thushara add a unique twist. Their bowling action is similar to that of the legendary Lasith Malinga. Dushmantha Chameera and Dilshan Madushanka lead the pace attack.
Sri Lanka is in Group D with South Africa, Bangladesh, Netherlands, and Nepal. Their first game is on June 3 against South Africa in New York.
Apart from the 15 core players, Sri Lanka has named four traveling reserves: Asitha Fernando, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, and Janith Liyanage.
Teams can adjust their squads until May 25. After that, any changes need approval from the ICC’s Event Technical Committee.
