Malinga Returns as Sri Lanka Announce Squad for England T20I

Thisara Perera has been named as the captain of Sri Lanka’s Twenty20 squad for the one-off game against England, Sri Lanka Cricket announced on Monday (October 22). The allrounder will take over from Angelo Mathews who recently was axed from the 50-overs side too, after a poor showing in the Asia Cup.

Lasith Malinga, who last played a T20I game against India more than a year ago, has earned a way back into the side after his impressive showing in the second ODI against England.

He picked up a five-wicket haul to revive his chances of making it to Sri Lanka’s 2019 World Cup squad after shrugging off his poor form on his limited-overs comeback in the Asia Cup against Bangladesh, picking up four wickets.

Kamindu Mendis, the ambidextrous talent, too finds a place in the 15-man squad after his impressive show with the bat against the visiting side in a warm-up game for Sri Lanka Board XI. The allrounder has played six List A and six T20 games so far.

Rest of the squad wears a usual look with Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella and Kusal Mendis getting picked. Kusal Perera, who missed the three ODIs against England due to a quad strain, has also been called up.

Full Squad: Thisara Perera (C), Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Janith Perera, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya De Silva, Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Isuru Udana, Lasith Malinga, Dusmantha Chameera, Akila Dhananjaya, Kasun Rajitha, Nuwan Pradeep, Lakshan Sadakan.

Source: Cricbuzz
-Agencies