Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Thursday announced a 16-member squad for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE, with Wanindu Hasaranga making his much-awaited return. The tournament will be played from September 9 to 28 in T20I format.
Charith Asalanka will lead the side that lifted the trophy in 2022 and finished as runners-up in 2023. The major highlight is the comeback of Wanindu Hasaranga, who has been out since suffering a hamstring injury during the T20I series against Bangladesh in July. He missed the recent ODI and T20I squads against Zimbabwe but selectors are optimistic about his fitness ahead of the Asia Cup.
Hasaranga replaces all-rounder Dushan Hemantha, while uncapped Vishen Halambage has been excluded. From the team that lost to Bangladesh recently, Avishka Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Eshan Malinga have been left out. In their place, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamil Mishara, and pacer Dushmantha Chameera join the squad.
The team features a balanced unit with three frontline spinners — Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, and Dunith Wellalage. Dasun Shanaka and Chamika Karunaratne strengthen the all-rounder options, while pace duties will be handled by Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, and Matheesha Pathirana.
Sri Lanka are placed in Group B and will open their campaign against Bangladesh on September 13, followed by Hong Kong on September 15 and Afghanistan on September 18 in Abu Dhabi.
Sri Lanka squad for Asia Cup 2025: Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana.
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