The Sri Lankan cricket team has announced its 16-member squad for the Asia Cup, scheduled for the UAE beginning September 9th, with Wanindu Hasaranga included. He will be absent from the squad for the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe, which starts this Friday with the first ODI in Harare, in addition to another ODI and three T20Is.
Hasaranga’s selection for the Asia Cup comes despite a hamstring injury suffered during the home series defeat to Bangladesh. The squad also includes young batsmen Kamil Mishara and Nuwanidu Fernando.
Other key players in the squad are spin bowlers Dunith Wellalage and Maheesh Theekshana. Following their loss to India in the 2023 Asia Cup final, Sri Lanka will compete in Group B, alongside Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong. Their schedule in the group stage includes matches against Bangladesh on September 13, Hong Kong on September 15, and Afghanistan on September 18, prior to the Super Four phase.
**Squad**: Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera (wk), Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana.