Mendis in for injured Kusal Perera in T20s

by Champika Fernando

Kusal Mendis has replaced injured batsman Kusal Perera for the two-match T20 series against Bangladesh following medical advice. Perera was initially named in the 15-man squad but Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed that the player did not travel to Bangladesh after receiving medical advice for further rest.

Perera, who played the first leg of the tri-series in Bangladesh was ruled out with a side strain. Perera returned to the national side after a long injury lay-off. An injury kept him out since the Champions Trophy in England. He suffered a hamstring injury in England.

He returned during the T20 series in India and finished with 100 runs in three innings including a top score of 77 in the second game in Indore. He scored 130 runs in three innings in the tri-series in Bangladesh with a top score of 80 before being forced to return home early.

Mendis was not part of the initial squad but has been trained after a successful Test series. He finished the Test series against Bangladesh with 271 runs at an average of 90. Sri Lanka is also without skipper Angelo Mathews who is nursing from a hamstring injury. He is expected to return for the Nidahas Trophy tri-series in March.

The first match will be played in Mirpur on Thursday before teams head to Sylhet for the second match on Sunday.