Wanindu Hasaranga To Lead In T20Is As SL Name Squads For ZIM Series
Wanindu Hasaranga was last seen at LPL 2023 (SLC)
Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga is set to make his comeback to competitive cricket through his country's home series against Zimbabwe in January 2024. Moreover, the 26-year-old has also been appointed as captain of the Sri Lankan team for the T20I segment of the upcoming fixtures.
During the LPL 2023 season, Hasaranga slumped to a hamstring injury, which forced him out of the 2023 Asia Cup at home and from the 2023 World Cup edition in India.
Wanindu Hasaranga to lead SL in comeback series
Wanindu Hasaranga has been selected in Sri Lanka's expanded squads for both the ODI and the T20I series against Zimbabwe.
Moreover, the star all-rounder will be leading his country in their three T20I matches, with Charith Asalanka set to serve as his deputy. Interestingly, Asalanka will also serve as Sri Lanka's vice-captain for the ODI series underneath regular skipper Kusal Mendis.
The upcoming fixtures mark Hasaranga's return to competitive cricket for the first time since August after he had slumped to an injury that prompted him to undergo surgery in England.
Here is a look at Sri Lanka's preliminary ODI and T20I squads for their January 2024 fixtures against Zimbabwe:
Sri Lanka's preliminary ODI squad For ZIM Series
Kusal Mendis (c), Charith Asalanka (vc), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Sahan Arachchige, Nuwanidu Fernando, Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Asitha Fernando, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay and Chamika Gunasekera
Sri Lanka preliminary T20I squad
Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Charith Asalanka (vc), Pathum Nissanaka, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dasun Shanaka, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Kusal Janith Perera, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Pramod Madushan and Matheesha Pathirana
Sri Lanka’s home fixtures against Zimbabwe will commence with a three-match ODI series between January 6 and January 11 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The iconic Sri Lankan venue will also be hosting the two sides in their subsequent three-match T20I challenge.
 "Aakash Saini")
