Asalanka’s return to Sri Lanka’s T20I facet – and management group – comes on the again of a stellar Lanka Premier League season, the place he struck 385 runs in 11 innings at a strike charge of 153.38. He was additionally Participant of the Match within the ultimate, serving to Galle Gladiators to their first LPL title win together with his 3 for 20.
Udara’s inclusion within the T20I facet comes after his personal LPL season, the place he was the standout batter of the season with 434 runs throughout 9 innings, at a strike charge of 159.55. He scored 5 fifty-plus scores and topped the boundary charts.
Liyanage had been on the fringes of the nationwide workforce and impressed through the LPL, scoring 207 runs throughout 9 innings. Of compatriots to have performed within the match this season, solely Shanaka (180.15) and Chamindu Wickramasinghe (182.55) scored at the next strike charge than Liyanage’s 169.67, from no less than as many video games.
Tharindu’s inclusion is much less apparent, having picked up solely seven wickets throughout eight innings at an financial system charge of 8.36 throughout the LPL. Nonetheless, his home T20 document fares higher, with 92 wickets throughout 77 innings at an financial system of 6.50. He additionally gives an ambidextrous choice to Sri Lanka, bowling left-arm and right-arm spin with equal management.
Alternatively, Karunaratne was unlucky to overlook out on a spot within the T20I squad. He struck a powerful 253 runs at 157.14, and had been a key a part of Galle’s cost to the title. Pavan additionally misses out regardless of having a breakout yr, when he entered the white-ball fold throughout England’s tour of Sri Lanka in the beginning of 2026, earlier than producing some match-winning fingers through the T20 World Cup. Nonetheless, he has been omitted due to the underwhelming tour of the West Indies – the place he scored simply 5 runs throughout three matches – that adopted.
The modifications to the ODI facet are extra minor compared, with the return of Shanaka being the headline alongside Colombage’s potential debut. Milan and Pramod Madushan have been omitted.
Shanaka, 34, performed the final of his 71 ODIs in opposition to Zimbabwe in January 2024, after which he was dropped following an ignominious 2023 the place he averaged 8.83 throughout 13 innings. Nonetheless, he makes his return to the ODI facet after his white-ball shares have risen as a result of his T20 performances. In his two-year-and-a-half-year lengthy absence, Sri Lanka have additionally struggled to interchange Shanaka’s hitting prowess decrease down the order. This yr, he has struck 332 runs in 15 T20Is at a strike charge of 171.13.
The returning Colombage picked up 10 wickets throughout six innings at an financial system charge of seven.95. He debuted domestically in 2019, and his 48 T20s have fetched 69 wickets at a strike charge of 13.7. He’ll deputise Wanindu Hasaranga – whose health has not been assured as of late – within the spin bowling line-up.
The remainder of the squads had been named as anticipated, with Pathum Nissanka and Kusal match once more after their lay-off durations by damage.
Sri Lanka will play three T20Is and three ODIs in England, beginning with the primary T20I in Southampton on September 15.
Sri Lanka’s ODI squad vs England
Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (vc), Kusal Mendis (c), Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Sachindu Colombage, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka
Sri Lanka’s T20I squad vs England
1. Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Lahiru Udara, Kusal Mendis (c), Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (vc), Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Tharindu Rathnayake, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga, Nuwan Thushara, Binura Fernando
