All-rounder Dasun Shanaka will be the captain for the Sri Lankan side during the three-match series against Australia
Sri Lanka's Captain Dasun Shanaka (C) and teammates takes part in a practice session at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Pic/ AFP
Sri Lanka on Tuesday announced their playing XI against T20 World Champion Australia for the first match of the tri T20I series in Colombo. Among the players, all-rounder Dasun Shanaka will be the captain for the Sri Lankan side during the three-match series. International league stars Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Chamika Karunaratne, and Bhanuka Rajapaksa have also been included in the playing XI list.
Top-order batters- Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka are named in the top six. The young fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana is yet to make his debut. Pathirana, who has a bowling style similar to Lasith Malinga had impressed the selection committee while playing two innings for Chennai Super Kings during the Indian Premier League 2022.
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The last time Australia and Sri Lanka faced each other in T20I format was in February 2022. In the five-match T20I series the Australians had drubbed the Sri Lankans by 4-1. Sri Lanka will now try to settle the scores, as this time they are to face the Aussies on home soil.
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Australia had named their playing XI for the series' first match with Aaron Finch to captain the side.
The series is scheduled to kick off with a match at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium on June 7. The second T20I will be played on June 8 at the same venue whereas the third match will be on June 11 at Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium.
Sri Lanka XI: Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara.
Australia XI: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Josh Hazlewood.
(with agency inputs)
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