DHAKA: Kusal Perera has been excluded from Sri Lanka’s T20I leg of the Bangladesh tour due to a respiratory infection, local media reported on Saturday. Niroshan Dickwella will step in as his replacement, joining the team on Saturday, while the rest of the squad had already departed for Bangladesh on February 29th.
Dickwella’s absence from the national side had been prolonged since his last appearance in March 2023, with his previous white-ball match dating back to June 2022. Recent performances in List A matches in the Men’s National Super League showcased Dickwella’s form, including two consecutive fifties, with a standout Player-of-the-Match performance in his latest outing. However, inconsistencies had led to his exclusion by the previous selectors.
Aside from his cricketing abilities, Dickwella has faced disciplinary issues, notably being among the trio, alongside Kusal Mendis and Danushka Gunatilake, who were banned for breaching team bio-bubble protocols in 2021.
In light of Wanindu Hasaranga’s suspension, Charith Asalanka will take over the captaincy for the initial two T20Is against Bangladesh, commencing on March 4th in Sylhet. All three matches are scheduled to be held in Sylhet.
The Sri Lankan T20I squad comprises Wanindu Hasaranga, Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Dilshan Madushanka, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Akila Dananjaya, Binura Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, and Jeffrey Vandersay.
