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Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Thursday announced a 16-member squad for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025, which will be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 9 to 28 in T20I format.
Left-handed batter Charith Asalanka will lead Sri Lanka, who lifted the trophy in 2022 and finished as runners-up in 2023.
The major talking point is the return of star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga. The leg-spinner had been sidelined since picking up a hamstring injury during the T20I series against Bangladesh in July and was left out of the squads for the ongoing ODI and upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe. However, selectors are hopeful he will regain full fitness ahead of the Asia Cup.
Hasaranga replaces all-rounder Dushan Hemantha in the squad for the continental tournament, while uncapped batter Vishen Halambage also misses out.
Compared to the team that recently lost to Bangladesh at home, there are four notable changes, with Avishka Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Eshan Malinga left out. In their place, batters Nuwanidu Fernando and Kamil Mishara, along with fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera, have been included.
The squad features good balance, with three frontline spinners in Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, and Dunith Wellalage. Dasun Shanaka and Chamika Karunaratne strengthen the seam-bowling all-rounder department, while pace options include Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, and Matheesha Pathirana.
Sri Lanka are placed in Group B and will begin their campaign against Bangladesh on September 13 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. They will then face Hong Kong on September 15 and Afghanistan on September 18 in their remaining group matches.
Sri Lanka squad for Asia Cup 2025: Charith Asalanka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana.
