Published: Sep 01, 2018, 06:12 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 01, 2018, 06:12 PM (IST)
Sri Lanka have recalled pacer Lasith Malinga and left-arm spinner Amila Aponso for the 2018 Asia Cup starting September 15.
The 16-member squad announced by the Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) will be led by allrounder Angelo Mathews with Kusal Perera to take over the wicketkeeping duties after regular ‘keeper and opener Niroshan Dickwella was omitted from the squad. Dickwella, however, is on the standby list.
Malinga last played an ODI for Sri Lanka in 2017 against India and was left out for the one-off T20I against South Africa in August.
Danushka Gunathilaka areturns to the squad after serving his six-match suspension for breaching the ‘Player Code of Conduct and Contractual Obligation’.
Pacer Lahiru Kumara and left-arm spinner Lakshan Sandakan failed to make it to the squad along with batsman Shehan Jayasuriya. All three were part of the Sri Lanka ODI squad for the recently concluded South Africa series. In the five ODIs against the Proteas, Dickwella managed to go past 50 only once as he made 158 runs at an average of 31.60.
Sandakan played just one match of the series, claiming 1/74 in his eight overs as South Africa beat Sri Lanka 3-2 in the series .
Aponso has been in good form in the SLC T20 League, claiming six wickets in four matches and was rewarded with a recall. The 25-year-old last played an ODI for Sri Lanka in June 2017 against Zimbabwe.
Sri Lanka squad: Angelo Mathews (capt), Kushal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Upul Tharanga, Dinesh Chandimal, Danushka Gunathilaka, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka. Dhanajaya De Silva, Akila Dhananjaya, Dilruwan Perera, Amila Aponso, Kasun Rajitha, Suranga Lakmal, Dusmantha Chameera, Lasith Malinga
Group Stage
15 September – Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka (Dubai)
16 September – Pakistan vs Qualifier (Dubai)
17 September – Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)
18 September – India vs Qualifier (Dubai)
19 September – India vs Pakistan (Dubai)
20 September – Bangladesh vs Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)
Super Four
21 September – Group A Winner vs Group B Runner-up (Dubai)
21 September – Group B Winner vs Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
23 September – Group A Winner vs Group A Runner-up (Dubai)
23 September – Group B Winner vs Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
25 September – Group A Winner vs Group B Winner (Dubai)
26 September – Group A Runner-up vs Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Final
28 September – Asia Cup 2018 Final (Dubai)
