Sri Lanka Names Revamped T20I Squad Including Shanaka, Malinga for Bangladesh Series

Sri Lanka Cricket has announced a revamped 17-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh starting July 10, which serves as vital preparation for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India. Key returns include former captain Dasun Shanaka, fast-bowling all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne, and young spinner Dunith Wellalage, while right-arm pacer Eshan Malinga, who impressed with 13 wickets in the 2025 IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad, is set to make his T20I debut. Charith Asalanka will captain the side, which also retains core players like Kusal Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Pathum Nissanka, and Maheesh Theekshana. The selectors have dropped Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, and Asitha Fernando to strengthen the team’s balance ahead of the World Cup build-up. Bangladesh aims to win their first-ever T20I series on Sri Lankan soil, where Sri Lanka has historically dominated with 11 wins in 17 T20Is against them. The series will be played across three venues: Pallekele, Dambulla, and Colombo.