New Delhi: The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced a 16-member squad on Thursday for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025, which is scheduled to be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 9 to 28.
Batting all-rounder Charith Asalanka will lead the defending champions in the much-anticipated tournament, which is set to be played in T20I format.
Star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga also returned to the side after he was not picked for the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. The series will be played in Harare from September 3 to 7, ending just a day before the start of the Asia Cup 2025.
Hasaranga suffered a hamstring injury during the T20I series against Bangladesh in July and has not played any game since then. He was also not included in Sri Lanka’s squad for the two-match ODI series against Zimbabwe, starting Friday, while his absence from the T20Is had intensified doubts over his participation in the Asia Cup.
The all-rounder will replace uncapped spinner Vishen Halambage and all-rounder Dushan Hemantha in the Asia Cup 2025 squad, which does not feature any further changes. Sri Lanka are placed in Group B along with Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong, while India, Pakistan, UAE and Oman are placed in Group A.
They will start their Asia Cup campaign against Bangladesh at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on September 13. After that, Asalanka and Co. will take on Hong Kong and Afghanistan in their remaining group-stage matches on September 15 and 18, respectively.
Sri Lanka squad for Asia Cup 2025
Charith Asalanka (c), 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 and Matheesha Pathirana.