Dasun, Chamika return

Sri Lanka names 17-member squad for Bangladesh T20I series

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya

Sri Lanka Cricket has named a 17-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20 International series against Bangladesh, scheduled to begin on July 10. The squad sees the return of experienced all-rounders Dasun Shanaka and Chamika Karunaratne after a lengthy absence from the shortest format.

The recall of Shanaka and Karunaratne comes as selectors begin building a core group with the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in mind. The tournament will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India. Shanaka, who has already played 102 T20 Internationals, last appeared in the format against India in July 2024. Karunaratne, with 42 T20I caps, last featured in April 2023 against New Zealand in Auckland. Charith Asalanka will continue to lead the side, which features a combination of seasoned campaigners and young talents. One of the notable inclusions is young fast bowler Eshan Malinga, who has earned his maiden call-up to the national T20 squad. Meanwhile, Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Chamindu Wickramasinghe, who were part of the T20I series in New Zealand in December 2024, have been left out.

The three-match series against Bangladesh,will be played in three different venues. The first T20I will be played on July 10 in Pallekele, the second on July 13 in Dambulla, and the final match on July 16 at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.

Sri Lanka’s last T20I series was against New Zealand in December 2024. Although the team lost the series 2–1, they finished on a positive note by winning the final match by seven runs. Kusal Perera was the standout performer with a 44-ball century, the fastest by a Sri Lankan in T20 Internationals, while captain Charith Asalanka made a strong all-round contribution, picking up key wickets and anchoring the innings with Perera.

Bangladesh, meanwhile, has made several changes to its squad ahead of the series.

Former captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has been dropped due to poor form. Left-handed opener Mohammad Naim returns to the side following a prolific domestic season. Fast bowlers Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman also return from injury, while all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin has been recalled after over a year out of international cricket. Spinner Nasum Ahmed has replaced Tanvir Islam in the only change to the spin department.