In a surprising administrative upheaval a few weeks ago ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has been officially snatched charit asalanka Of captaincy.
Sri Lanka sacks Charith Asalanka ahead of T20 World Cup 2026
The announcement, made on December 19, 2025, followed a period of intense internal friction and a marked decline in the team’s on-field performance during Aslanka’s brief tenure. Pramodaya WickramasinghaReturning as chairman of selectors, he confirmed that the decision was driven by the need for experienced leadership as the country prepares to co-host the global showpiece. The move has shocked the cricket community, especially considering the timing, with the tournament scheduled to begin on February 7, 2026.
The primary catalyst for Charith Asalanka’s removal from captaincy appears to be a combination of declining batting returns and a recent controversial decision to step down from overseas assignments. Wickremesingha was candid in his assessment, stating that Asalanka’s “poor batting form” made it necessary to relieve him of the burden of leadership to allow him to rediscover his touch as a specialist batsman.
“Shanaka’s role will be that of an all-rounder. When I stopped being a selector, Shanaka was the captain. Charith (Asalanka) was in our long-term plans then,” Cricbuzz quoted Wickremesingha as saying.
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Sri Lanka appoints new captain in T20 World Cup preliminary squad
Cricket Sri Lanka announces experienced all-rounder Dasun Shanaka As the new leader of the squad. With the 2026 T20 World Cup around the corner, Shanaka’s reappointment is being seen as a strategic move to leverage his experience of playing in the last three World Cups and his established relationship with the head coach. Sanath JayasuriyaThe chairman of selectors said this in consultation with Jayasuriya,
“We also decided after talking to head coach Sanath Jayasuriya that Dasun Shanaka should be made the captain till the end of the World Cup. The previous committee had chosen a list of 25 players. We also talked to the head of high performance Jerome Jayaratne as well as Sanath Jayasuriya. We decided to announce the same 25 players as the preliminary squad for the World Cup. We are looking at Dasun as an all-rounder. We are looking at Sanath We will have to talk to Jayasuriya and work will be expected from him.
The initial 25-man squad sees the return of several notable names including the wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan DickwellaWho are being considered for many roles including reserve keeper and opener. The team has a mix of explosive pace, including Mathisha Pathirana and Nuwan Thushara, and a spin battery. Wanindu Hasaranga And Mahesh Theekshana,
With giants like Australia and emerging teams like Zimbabwe and Ireland at stake, Sri Lanka’s path through the group stages will demand the tactical maturity that Shanaka is known for, as the co-hosts look to repeat their past glory on home soil.
Sri Lanka’s preliminary squad for T20 World Cup 2026
Dasun Shanaka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Dhananjay de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Zenith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Pawan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachige, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Vellaage, Milan Rathnayake, Nuwan Thushara, Ishan Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Mathisha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Mahesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Vijayakanth Vyaskanth and Travin Mathew.
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