Kusal Perera named SL captain for Bangladesh ODIs, 3 senior players dropped

Colombo: Wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Perera was on Wednesday named Sri Lanka’s ODI captain for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh, while Kusal Mendis will be his deputy in the 18-man traveling squad.

The 30-year-old Perera, who has represented Sri Lanka in 101 ODIs, 22 Tests and 47 T20Is, takes over the reins from Dimuth Karunaratne, who led Sri Lanka in their previous ODI series against West Indies which they lost 3-0.

Senior members like Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews and Lahiru Thirimanne have been dropped from the squad by the Cricket Selection Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket.

Instead, the squad announced on Wednesday includes several new faces.

Pacer Chamika Karunaratne and batsman Shiran Fernando have earned their maiden limited-overs call up, while speedster Binura Fernando, who has played a couple of T20Is, was also named in the side.

Isuru Udana and Dhananjaya de Silva also made a comeback after the duo were not picked for the West Indies tour.

Sri Lanka are scheduled to leave for Bangladesh on May 16 with the three-match ODI series to be played in Dhaka on May 23, 25 and 28.

Squad: Kusal Perera (C), Kusal Mendis (VC), Danushka Gunathilaka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Dasun Shanaka, Ashen Bandara, Wanindu Hasaranga, Isuru Udana, Akila Dananjaya, Niroshan Dickwella, Dushmantha Chameera, Ramesh Mendis, Asitha Fernando, Lakshan Sandakan, Chamika Karunaratne, Binura Fernando, Shiran Fernando. (UNI)