Opener Dimuth Karunaratne will once again captain the Sri Lanka team in their two-match Test series against Bangladesh later this month. Selectors on Wednesday selected a roster of 18 players for the crucial red ball series, with many key players missing as Sri Lanka chase crucial points of the World Test Championship. SL batter Roshen Silva has opted out of the Bangladesh tour, with former skipper Angelo Mathews and right-handed Dhananjaya De Silva asked to help Karunaratne rise to the top of the Sri Lankan order.
Karunaratne is currently sixth on the MRF Tires Men’s ICC Test Batting Rankings and is expected to bring plenty of runs and experience to a Sri Lankan squad entering a crucial stint in the World Test Championship with a home run against Australia to follow the matches in Bangladesh.
With Suranga Lakmal retired, Lahiru Kumara on the outside and Dushmantha Chameera concentrating on white-ball cricket, Sri Lanka’s seam attack is likely to be led by left-arm Vishwa Fernando.
The other sailors in the squad are Kasun Rajitha, Asitha Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne and the uncapped Dilshan Madushanka, and Mathews is expected to provide plenty of support.
Left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya will lead Sri Lanka’s spin attack, with Ramesh Mendis and Praveen Jayawickrama other options Karunaratne will have at his disposal.
The two-test series will begin in Chittagong on May 15, before moving to Dhaka on May 23 for the second and final test.
Sri Lanka is currently fifth in the World Testing Championship standings, having won two Test matches and drawing a further two in the 2021-23 period.
promoted
Bangladesh has only won one test in the same period and is in eighth position, currently only ahead of England.
Sri Lanka Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Kamil Mishara, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya De Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Dinesh Chandimal, Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Suminda Lakshan, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa , Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Praveen Jayawickrama and Lasith Embuldeniya.
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