Sangakkara named selector in Sri Lanka shake-up

Sri Lanka failed to reach the Asia Cup final in Bangladesh last week after losing three of its four matches in the tournament on the back of a Twenty20 series defeat to India.

Former Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara.

Kumar Sangakkara has been included on a new Sri Lanka selection committee chaired by Aravinda de Silva.

Sri Lanka failed to reach the Asia Cup final in Bangladesh last week after losing three of its four matches in the tournament on the back of a Twenty20 series defeat to India.

It also endured a miserable tour of New Zealand in all formats and Sri Lanka Cricket has opted for a shake-up the week before the team starts the defence of its World Twenty20 title.

Sri Lanka legend Sangakkara, who ended his illustrious international career last year, has been named as a selector along with fellow-former internationals Romesh Kaluwitharana, Ranjith Madurasinghe and Lalith Kaluperuma. Former Sri Lanka captain De Silva takes up the role of chairman of selectors for a second time.

A Sri Lanka Cricket statement said: "The Honorable Dayasiri Jayasekara, Minister of Sports, has appointed a new National Cricket Selection Committee with immediate effect."

"The appointment of the National Selection Committee was carried out by the Honorable Minister citing recent failures encountered by the National Team in its tours to New Zealand, India, Asia Cup in Bangladesh and the inconsistency of selection criteria."