Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced the 15-man squad for the Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, and veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews has been left out while young pacer Matheesha Pathirana has earned a place in the team. The tournament is scheduled to take place from June 18 to July 9.
Mathews, the former captain, had a lackluster performance in the first match of the recent three-match series against Afghanistan, scoring only 12 runs from 21 balls. Consequently, he was dropped from the subsequent two matches, which Sri Lanka won.
Meanwhile, 20-year-old Pathirana, whose bowling action resembles that of pace bowling great Lasith Malinga, has been rewarded for his impressive showing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) where he claimed 19 wickets for the Chennai Super Kings, aiding them in securing their fifth title. Pathirana made his ODI debut earlier this month against Afghanistan.
Dushan Hemantha, a 29-year-old newcomer who also debuted against Afghanistan, has also been included in the squad for the qualifiers. Sri Lanka, the champions of the 1996 World Cup, find themselves in Group B alongside the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Ireland, and Scotland.
The team's campaign kicks off on June 19 against the UAE. The qualifying competition features 10 teams, and the top two finalists will secure the remaining spots for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, scheduled to be held in India in October and November.
In the Super Six stage, the top three teams from each group will face off against each other, with all points earned in the group stage being carried forward except those obtained against the bottom two teams from each group. The finalists of the Super Six stage will ultimately secure their place in the ODI World Cup in India.
Sri Lanka squad: Dasun Shanaka (captain), Kusal Mendis, Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Dushan Hemantha.