Unwell Asalanka and Fernando ruled out of tri-series in Pakistan, Shanaka to lead Sri Lanka

Advertisement

Advertise with us

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) — Sri Lanka white-ball captain Charith Asalanka and fast bowler Asitha Fernando have been ruled out of the T20 tri-series in Pakistan due to illness.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Monthly Digital Subscription

$1 per week for 24 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Monthly Digital Subscription

$4.99/week*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

No thanks

*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $16.99 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $23.99 plus GST every four weeks.

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) — Sri Lanka white-ball captain Charith Asalanka and fast bowler Asitha Fernando have been ruled out of the T20 tri-series in Pakistan due to illness.

Sri Lanka Cricket said in a statement on Monday that Dasun Shanaka will lead the side in the tournament which also features Zimbabwe.

Top-order batter Pavan Rathnayake, who made ODI debut in the third and final game against Pakistan on Sunday, has been added into the T20 squad.

Sri Lanka's T20 team skipper Dasun Shanaka listens a reporter's question during a press conference regarding tri-series cricket, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. (AP Photo)
Sri Lanka's T20 team skipper Dasun Shanaka listens a reporter's question during a press conference regarding tri-series cricket, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. (AP Photo)

Pakistan completed a 3-0 series sweep of Sri Lanka with a clinical six-wicket victory in their third and final ODI in which Rathnayake made 32 off 37 balls.

Host Pakistan will take on Zimbabwe in the opening match of the tri-series on Tuesday in which all the three teams play against each other twice with top two qualifying for the Nov. 29 final. Rawalpindi will host all the seven games.

SLC said Asalanka and Fernando will return home to “ensure they receive proper care and sufficient time to recover ahead of future assignments.”

The tri-series will serve as build up for next year’s T20 World Cup for which Zimbabwe has qualified after missing out on the last edition in 2024.

Sri Lanka’s white-ball tour was in doubt after its players wanted to leave the country when a suicide bomber killed 12 people outside a court in Islamabad last week, hours before the first ODI in nearby Rawalpindi.

However, SLC directed the team to continue the tour after it was reassured about security by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

___

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Report Error Submit a Tip

Uncategorized

LOAD MORE