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Sri Lanka have announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup set to take place in UAE. There are not any major surprises in the team as it is very similar to the one that has recently featured in white-ball series against India and South Africa.
Dasun Shanaka will continue to lead the side, which was quite expected considering the success the all-rounder has had as the captain of national side in recent times. Dhananjaya De Silva will be the vice-captain of the side at the marquee event. Meanwhile, the likes of Kusal Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera have successfully made the cut. On the the other hand, Lahiru Kumara, Binura Fernando, Akila Dananjaya, Pulina Tharanga have been included to the team as reserves.
The selection of Maheesh Theekshana is the one that has caught everyone's attention as the mystery spinner will be the one to watch out for, especially after his scintillating spell of 4/37 in the final ODI against South Africa in Colombo.
It is worth noting that after months of disagreements between players and the boards regarding the new contract system, a total of 18 players finally decided to sign national contracts last month.
Sri Lanka to tour Oman for 2 T20Is ahead of T20 World Cup Qualifiers
With no games after their white-ball series against South Africa leading to the marquee event, Sri Lanka decided to play two T20Is against Oman on latter's soil. Both the sides will have to go through the qualifying round first in order to make it to main event of the T20 World Cup.
However, in the qualifiers both the teams will be in different groups. While Sri Lanka have been placed in Group A with teams Ireland, Netherlands and Namibia, Oman are in Group B at the qualifiers with Bangladesh, Scotland and Papua New Guinea.
“Sri Lanka will be playing two T20 matches against Oman during the tour and we are extremely pleased that they decided to come to Oman on their way to the UAE,” Duleep Mendis- former Sri Lanka cricketer and current coach of Oman- had said last month expressing his happiness on the tour.