Sri Lanka has announced its squad for the upcoming three-match preliminary T20I series against Pakistan, and former captain Charith Asalanka, who missed the last T20I tri-series in Pakistan, has been recalled ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup.
Sri Lanka is scheduled to host Pakistan for a three-match T20I series ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, which is limited to Sri Lanka for the Pakistan team. The matches will be played on 7, 9 and 11 January. SLC has revealed the team for the series starting tomorrow.
Sri Lanka announces squad for Pakistan T20I; Charith Asalanka’s return confirmed
There are not many shocks in the announcement of the Sri Lankan team, because a lot of players have been predicted for the series. Yet the Lankans have selected 18 players from the 25-man preliminary squad submitted to the ICC for the upcoming World Cup starting February 7.
However, the team may have to undergo further assessment in the upcoming two series that Sri Lanka will host before the T20 World Cup, and the final set of players for the home World Cup will be announced.
So far, the changes that have been made to the team playing the tri-series in Pakistan are Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dunith Velalej, Mathisha Pathirana and Travin Mathews, who have been selected for this series. Pawan Rathnayake, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Asitha Fernando and Vijayakanth Vyaskanth have been dropped from the team.
Sri Lanka squad for T20I against Pakistan: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Vellaage, Mahesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Kusal Perera, Dhananjay de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Zenith Liyanage, Traveen Mathew, Dushmantha Chameera, Mathisha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara. And Ishaan Malinga.
Sri Lanka T20 squad for the upcoming Pakistan series.
In: Asalanka
Dhananjay de Silva
Velez
mathisha
travenOutside: Wind
vyasakantha
Bhanuka
Asitha#sportspavilionlk #danushkarvinda #SLvsPAK #SLvPAK pic.twitter.com/cnSXnfWr6A– Danushka Aravinda (@DanuskaAravinda) 6 January 2026
Why did SLC relieve Charith Asalanka from captaincy?
During their Pakistan tour, some players of the Sri Lankan team wanted to return home due to security threats in Pakistan following the unrest on the western border with Afghanistan.
After PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi promised him tight security, he decided to stay back; However, Asalanka and Asitha Fernando were among the two players who decided to return to their country. SLC then issued an ultimatum to its players and warned them of consequences if they left the tour midway.
However, a later statement on Asalanka’s return to the SLC revealed that he had gone back due to some illness, not because he did not value his instructions. However, it was from that series onwards that Sri Lanka promoted Asalanka as captain and reappointed former captain Dasun Shanaka to the role.
According to SLC officials, Dasun Shanaka’s appointment for the T20 World Cup was made to relieve Asalanka of the burden of leadership so that he can restore his batting form.
Sri Lanka to host England after Pakistan before T20 World Cup
After hosting Pakistan for a three-match T20I series, the ICC T20 World Cup co-hosts will also host England for another white-ball series. England will arrive in the island nation after their Ashes campaign and begin a three-match ODI series from January 22.
The three-match ODI series will be followed by a three-match T20I series, which will be played on January 30, February 1 and the final match on February 3. After this they will host the ICC T20 World Cup starting from February 7.
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