Sri Lanka announce T20 squad for Bangladesh series

COLOMBOS: Sri Lanka’s cricket board Monday named a 17-member squad led by Charith Asalanka for the three-match T20 series against visiting Bangladesh.

The opening game will be at Pallekele on Thursday with the second at Dambulla on Sunday and the final at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on July 16.

In their ongoing ODI series, Bangladesh held their nerve in a nail-biting finish to clinch a 16-run win over Sri Lanka in the second game at Colombo on Saturday to level the three-match series at 1-1.

The decider will be played at Pallekele on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka won the two-match Test series 1-0.

Sri Lanka T20 squad: Charith Asalanka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamika Karunaratne, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Binura Fernando and Eshan Malinga.

Fernando against Bangladesh in 2nd ODI

 Separately, a career-best 4-35 by seamer Asitha Fernando helped Sri Lanka bundle out Bangladesh for 248 inside 46 overs in the second one-day international in Colombo on Saturday.

The 27-year-old right-arm seamer, fresh from an English county stint with Glamorgan, used a mix of short-pitched venom and clever changes of pace to restrict the visitors.

The home side’s bowlers hunted in packs, with leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga claiming 3-60, backed up by some sharp fielding and catching.

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With the series on the line, Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat.