Rajapaksa returns; maiden call-ups for Pathirana and Nuwanidu

Australia tour of Sri Lanka 2022

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The Sri Lanka Cricket selection committee has named an 18-member squad for the upcoming 3-match T20I series against Australia which is set to commence next week.

Hard-hitting batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa has been recalled to the Sri Lanka T20I squad after being left out earlier in the year due to fitness issues. Rajapaksa performed reasonably well with the bat in the recently concluded Indian Premier League where he made 206 runs in 9 matches at an impressive strike rate of 159.68.

Opening batter Pathum Nissanka has also returned to the Sri Lanka set up after missing out on the Bangladesh and India Tests due to a back injury.

19-year-old Matheesha Pathirana who caught the eye in the recently concluded Indian Premier League, becoming the first Sri Lankan to represent a team at the IPL before making his international debut, has earned his maiden national call-up.

22-year old Nuwanidu Fernando has also gotten a maiden call-up after an impressive run with the Sri Lanka Emerging side during their tour of England.

Speedster Lahiru Kumara and Binura Fernando have missed out due to injury, alongside top-order bats Avishka Fernando.

Sri Lanka T20I Squad

Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Danushka Gunathilake, Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Nuwanidu Fernando, Lahiru Madushanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lakshan Sandakan