The leadership change comes after Sri Lanka’s recent tour of Pakistan, where Asalanka captained the team during a tri-series before returning midway due to illness. Shanaka then acted as stand-in captain. Although Sri Lanka managed to qualify for the final, they were comprehensively defeated by Pakistan. The tour itself was disrupted by security concerns following a suicide bombing in Islamabad, leading to changes in venues and match schedules.
Chief selector Pramodya Wickramasinghe confirmed that the decision to appoint Shanaka was taken after discussions with head coach Sanath Jayasuriya and top official Jerome Jayaratne. He also clarified that the selection panel opted to retain the same list of 25 players drawn up by the previous committee.
“We have decided that Dasun Shanaka should be captain until the end of the World Cup after also speaking to head coach Sanath Jayasuriya. The previous committee had chosen a list of 25 players. We spoke to Jerome Jayaratne, the head of High Performance, and Sanath Jayasuriya. We decided to announce the same 25 as a preliminary squad for the World Cup,” Upul Tharanga Wickramasinghe, chief selector of Sri Lankan cricket, said in a statement.
We see Dasun as an all-rounder: Upul Tharanga
Explaining the decision, Wickramasinghe stated that Shanaka’s experience, having played in three T20 World Cups, played a major role in his appointment. Although Shanaka will captain the side, the selectors view him primarily as an all-rounder, with his exact role to be determined in consultation with the coaching staff.
“We consider Dasun as an all-rounder. We will have to talk to Sanath Jayasuriya and find out what is required of him,” Wickramasinghe added.
Asalanka, who has led Sri Lanka since mid-2024, remains part of the squad despite being dropped as captain. His batting returns in T20Is this year, including 156 runs at a strike rate of 122 from 12 innings, were cited as a crucial factor behind the decision. The selectors believe that being relieved of his leadership responsibilities could help him get back into form ahead of the important home matches against Pakistan and England. One of the notable developments in the provisional squad is the return of wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella. He last played a T20I for Sri Lanka in June 2021 and has been recalled.
Sri Lanka’s provisional World Cup squad
Dasun Shanaka (c), Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Niroshan Dickwella, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Milan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Nuwan Alsohara, Eshan Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Traveen Mathew
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