Sri Lanka squad for Asia Cup 2022 announced; Shanaka to lead

Sri Lanka plays its opening match against Afghanistan in Dubai on August 27. The final takes place on September 11, also in Dubai.

FILE PHOTO: Dasun Shanka will lead a 20-member Sri Lanka squad in the Asia Cup later this month in UAE. | Photo Credit: GETTY IMAGES

Sri Lanka Friday named a 20-man squad led by Dasun Shanaka for the Asia Cup Twenty20 tournament starting later this month in the United Arab Emirates.

The tournament was originally scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka, but shifted to the UAE due to political turmoil and the economic crisis in the cricket-crazy island nation.

Sri Lanka has witnessed months of food and fuel shortages, blackouts and runaway inflation in the wake of its worst financial crisis on record.

Sri Lanka plays its opening match against Afghanistan in Dubai on August 27. The final takes place on September 11, also in Dubai.

Note: Binura Fernando and Kasun Rajitha were selected in the original squad, but will not tour owing to injuries sustained during the SLC Invitational T20 League 2022.

SRI LANKA SQUAD

Dasun Shanaka (captain), Dhanushaka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Banuka Rajapaksha, Ashen Bandara, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanidu Hasaranga, Mahesh Theekshana, Jeffery Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrema, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Dinesh Chandimal, Nuwanindu Fernando and Kasun Rajitha.