30 August 2023 12:34 pm
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced the 15-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup, which begins in Pakistan and Sri Lanka from Wednesday. Two more players have been added as standbyes, it has been learned.
According to sources, Nuwan Thusara and Sahan Arachchige have also traveled to Kandy and joined the team as backup players.
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Sahan Arachchige, a 27-year-old top-order batter who can also bowl off-breaks, has already played two ODIs against West Indies and Netherlands in the qualifying round in Zimbabwe in July this year. The 29-year-old Nuwan is a right-arm medium pacer.
"The official squad has 15 members, and these two are standbyes. They have been training with the other team members and will also be part of the last practice session before Sri Lanka's first match against Bangladesh on Thursday," one of the sources said. "We are not sure whether all 17 may be allowed to sit in the dug-out area during the matches. It will be up to the ICC and the ACC to confirm," the source further added.
According to hotel sources, Kusal Janith Perera, who left Colombo on Tuesday night, has joined the team hotel post-midnight. He was suffering from the flu but has since recovered.
"The team management has allowed the family members to join the team hotel, and accordingly, the wives of captain Dasun Shanaka, Kasun Rajitha, and Charith Asalanka have already joined the team hotel," the source confirmed.(BIPIN DANI)