On Monday, November 17, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officially confirmed that their white-ball captain Charith Asalanka will be leaving Pakistan and will return home very soon.
SLC said Charith Asalanka will not be available for the upcoming T20I tri-series in Pakistan and will be replaced by Dasun Shanaka as captain.
Charith Asalanka and Asitha Fernando ruled out of Pakistan tour
Sri Lanka was recently involved in a three-match ODI series against Pakistan. They performed poorly in all three matches on the tour and suffered an embarrassing 0–3 defeat at the hands of the hosts.
After the first match of the series, panic spread among the Sri Lankan team and they were reminded of the attack in Lahore in 2009. It is noteworthy that there was a suicide bombing incident in Islamabad, due to which the Sri Lankan players were extremely scared and they were asked to leave the country immediately.
However, the SLC put pressure on the cricketers to continue the tour and even threatened the players and support staff with a “formal review” if they left the tour due to security concerns. Finally, the Lankan cricketer agreed to proceed, but not without additional security.
Illness and injury problems also affected the Sri Lankan camp as several players fell ill before the third ODI, including captain Charith Asalanka, who did not play in the last game.
Now, Asalanka has been ruled out of the entire T20I tri-series in Pakistan along with Asitha Fernando as both are seriously ill.
This precautionary decision ensures that they receive proper care – Sri Lanka Cricket
Sharing an official statement on Twitter, SLC said that Charith Asalanka and Asitha Fernando will return home as a precautionary measure to ensure that both of them get proper care and adequate time to recover.
They announced Dasun Shanaka as the captain for the upcoming T20 tri-series and included Pawan Rathnayake in the squad.
“Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan 2025 #PAKvSL. Two players are returning home. Captain Charith Asalanka and fast bowler Asitha Fernando, both suffering from illness, will return home. Both players will not take part in the upcoming tri-series between Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Zimbabwe.
SLC said, “This precautionary decision ensures that he receives proper care and adequate time to recover before future assignments. Dasun Shanaka has been named captain. With Asalanka unavailable, Dasun Shanaka will lead Sri Lanka during the tri-series. Pawan Rathnayake has been included in the T20 squad as a replacement.”
sri lanka tour of pakistan 2025 #PAKvSL
Two players are returning home
Captain Charith Asalanka and fast bowler Asitha Fernando, who are suffering from illness, will return home.
Both the players will not take part in the upcoming tri-series between Sri Lanka, Pakistan and… pic.twitter.com/71Z3RVQPQW– Sri Lanka Cricket (@OfficialSLC) 17 November 2025
So, we will try to improve it going forward – Kusal Mendis
Kusal Mendis, who is leading the team in the third ODI, said after the whitewash that they will try to improve going forward. He elaborated:
“The top 5 batsmen started but they couldn’t continue well and take it forward. So, we will try to improve on that going forward. Vandersay played really well and bowled really well and I am very happy for him.
“He is playing for Sri Lanka after a long time. There will be some players coming in the T20 who are in good form. It is very cold here and looking forward to the T20 series.”
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