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Injured Chameera and Hasaranga miss out, Shanaka to lead Sri Lanka at the World Cup

Published

3 years ago

2023/09/26

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Sri Lanka would have dearly wanted Dushmantha Chameera and Wanindu Hasaranga in their ranks (Cricinfo)

It’s official – Sri Lanka will be without Dushmantha Chameera and Wanidu Hasaranga at the ODI World Cup. Dasun Shanaka, whose role as captain had been under much speculation over the past few weeks, will lead the side in India through October and November.

The rest of the 15-member squad has formed up as expected, with the only changes from the side that reached the final of the Asia Cup being the inclusion of Dilshan Madhushanaka and Lahiru Kumara.

Making way are quick bowlers Pramod Madushan and Binura Fernando. Chamika Karunaratne has been named as a travelling reserve.

Of those who have missed out, Chameera’s absence will likely be felt the most. Chameera, the 31-year-old quick, last played for Sri Lanka in June against Afghanistan and in the warm-ups of the World Cup qualifier. After that, he was initially out with a torn pectoral muscle, which he suffered ahead of the World Cup qualifier in Zimbabwe. And, after recovering from that, he injured himself again in the Lanka Premier League in August. He had also missed the T20 World Cup in Australia last year with an ankle injury.

There had been some degree of optimism that he would be fit for at least a part of this World Cup, but despite having started bowling in the nets, he has not been able to do so consistently without discomfort.

As for Hasaranga, the SLC had been less optimistic. But there had been murmurs that he might have been included with the hope that he would be fit to play during the latter stages of the tournament – such is the importance of his all-round talents to team balance.

“Wanindu Hasaranga has not been included in the 15-member squad as the player is still in the process of recovering from an injury,” an SLC statement said. “His recovery will be monitored, and if he is declared fit to play, he will be considered as a replacement in the event of an injury to a squad member during the tournament.”

Injury concerns are a theme right through Sri Lanka’s bowling unit at present, with the inclusion of no less than three frontline bowlers who are just returning from injury. Spinner Maheesh Theekshana is returning from a hamstring injury he suffered at the Asia Cup, while Madushanka is just back from a torn oblique muscle. Kumara, meanwhile, missed the entire Asia Cup with a side strain. He also has a worrying history of being ruled out mid-game with the same recurring injury.

This means there might be game time not only for the other quicks in the squad – Matheesha Pathirana and Kasun Rajitha – but also the travelling reserve, seam-bowling allrounder Karunaratne.

Fortunately for Sri Lanka, their batters are in fairly rude health by comparison, though their form and consistency are causes for concern, especially following their dismal performance in the Asia Cup final, where India shot them out for 50.

It’s likely that Kusal Perea will keep Dimuth Karunaratne out of the starting XI, and open alongside Pathum Nissanka. Perera is one of three wicketkeeping options in the squad alongside Sadeera Samarawickrama and Kusal Mendis – who kept for the entirety of the Asia Cup – with all three expected to start.

Sri Lanka’s middle order, too, picks itself with Samarawickrama coming in at four, followed by Charith Asalanka and Dhananjaya de Silva at five and six respectively.

This leaves Shanaka to occupy the No. 7 position. Head coach Chris Silverwood had given Shanaka unequivocal backing in the immediate aftermath of the Asia Cup final, in the hope being that one good innings would be enough to get him out of his rut.

Sri Lanka’s selectors, too, opted to take a more holistic view of Shanaka’s performance as captain. A special meeting held after the Asia Cup involving the top brass of SLC as well as Silverwood, consultant coach Mahela Jayawardene, team manager Mahinda Halangoda, and members of the selection committee including chief selector Pramodya Wickramasinghe, gave the present make-up of the team their vote of confidence.

“The selectors, during the meeting, explained the intended composition of the World Cup squad and also possible contingency plans in place for replacements if such a measure is needed,” he board had said in a media statement at the time. “During the meeting, all in attendance were in agreement that the national team is going in the right direction towards making further progress.”

Sri Lanka will begin their World Cup with warm-up games against Bangladesh and Afghanistan on September 29 and October 3 in Guwahati, before their first official match of the tournament against South Africa on October 7 in Delhi.

Sri Lanka ODI World Cup squad:
Dasun Shanaka (capt), Kusal Mendis (vice capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera (wk), Dimuth Karunaratne, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara
Travelling reserve: Chamika Karunaratne

(Cricinfo)

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Related Topics:ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Sri Lanka squad for ICC Cricket World Cup

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Taskin, Mehidy, Taijul, Mahmudul put Bangladesh well in front

Published

3 hours ago

2026/05/17

Priyan

Mohammad Rizwan was among the three wickets taken by Taijul Islam [Cricinfo]

Bangladesh ruled the second day of the Sylhet Test, going to stumps with a healthy 156-run lead and only three wickets down in their second innings. The home side were 110 for 3, losing Mominul Haque on what turned out to be the last ball of the day. Before that, it was a strong showing from their bowlers who combined to restrict Pakistan to 232 for a lead of 46 runs in the first innings, before Mahmudul Hasan Joy led the second innings with a half-century to follow his duck in the first innings.

Babar Azam top-scored for Pakistan with 68 on his return to the playing XI following an injury. Bangladesh’s bowling attack once again combined wonderfully, with Nahid Rana and Taijul Islam taking three wickets each. This, after Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz shared the first four wickets in the morning session.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto was unbeaten on 13 at stumps after Mominul fell for 30. Mahmudul reached a quick half-century off 58 balls, as Bangladesh sped out of the blocks on the second evening despite an early setback. Khurram Shahzad removed the debutant Tanzid Hasan for 4 with a delivery that squared up the left-hand batter, who edged the ball to Saud Shakeel at gully.

Brief scores:
Bangladesh 278 and 110 for 3 in 26.4 overs (Mahmudul Hasan Joy 52, Mominul Haque 30;Khurram Shahzad 2-19) lead Pakistan 232 in 57.4 overs (Babar Azam 68, Saijd Khan 38; Taskin Ahmed 2-37, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 2-21, Nahid Rana 3-60, Taijul Islam 3-67) by 156 runs

[Cricinfo]

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Pakistan name Iram Javed in Womens T20 World Cup squad

Published

8 hours ago

2026/05/17

Priyan

Fatima Sana recently scored the fastest fifty in women's T20Is [PCB]

Fatima Sana will lead Pakistan at a T20 World Cup for the second consecutive edition after the PCB announced the squads for their upcoming T20I tri-series in Ireland, as well as the World Cup.

The squad features a blend of continuity and fresh inclusions, with 34-year-old batter Iram Javeed retaining her place despite a difficult recent run. Eyman Fatima, Natalia Pervaiz, Rameen Shamim, Saira Jabeen and Tasmia Rubab will travel to their maiden T20 World Cup.

Pakistan will look to overturn a run of indifferent performances at recent ICC events. At the last T20 World Cup in 2024, they exited in the group stage with one win in four games, while in 2022, they finished bottom of the pile with six defeats in seven. At last year’s ODI World Cup, Pakistan propped up the table again and were the only team in the tournament to end winless, though three of their games were washed out.

Pakistan will first travel to Ireland, where they play a tri-series that also includes West Indies from May 28 to June 4 in Dublin. Their first game at the World Cup is on June 14, against India in Birmingham. They play South Africa, the finalists from the 2024 edition, next, followed by Bangladesh, Australia and Netherlands. They will also take part in two warm-up fixtures against Sri Lanka and Scotland.

Pakistan’s most recent T20I series was a dominating 3-0 win over Zimbabwe at home, which included Sana scoring the fastest half-century in women’s T20I cricket, taking just 15 balls.

Pakistan squad for Ireland tri-series and T20 World Cup

Fatima Sana (capt), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Pervaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan

Reserves Amber Kainat, Momina Riasat, Sadaf Shamas, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Umm-e-Hani

[Cricinfo]

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Allen, Raghuvanshi and Green thump Gujarat Titans to keep Kolkata Knight Riders alive

Published

17 hours ago

2026/05/17

Priyan

Matheesha Pathirana left the field two balls into his first match of the season [Cricinfo]

After five successive wins in conditions that weaponised their bowlers and masked their limitations with the bat,Gujarat Titans [GT] found their kryptonite at Eden Gardens. In near-perfect batting conditions, Kilkata Knight Riders [KKR] ran away to 247 for 2, the highest total anyone has ever scored against GT.

Finn Allen set the tone, hitting 10 sixes in 35 balls on his way to an awe-inspiring 93, and Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Cameron Green carried the baton with impressive unbeaten half-centuries. GT had their chances to minimise the punishment they took, but they put down four mostly straightforward catches, including two off Allen.

Everything needed to go right for GT to be able to get to 248; the highest target they had previously chased down was 204. But after a frenetic start in which they rushed to 42 for no loss in three overs, they simply couldn’t keep up with the required rate.

B Sai Sudarshan, who provided much of that early impetus, retired hurt after taking a blow to the elbow, and returned to bat in the 17th over. In between Shubman Gill and Joss Buttler scored half-centuries and put on a 128-run stand for the third wicket. But by the time Sai Sudharsan returned, the match was done and dusted, with GT needing an absurd 71 off 22 balls.

The one man at the ground who could have pulled off that task was relaxing on KKR’s bench: Allen, subbed out at the change of innings. The only sore point of the match for KKR, in the end, concerned the man who came on for Allen. Matheesha Pathirana made his first appearance of the season, but went off the field with a hamstring issue having bowled just 1.2 overs.

At the toss, GT captain Gill suggested that the pitch might start out “sticky” before easing out, and he proved spot-on with his assessment. In the early overs, KKR’s batters couldn’t quite find their timing with Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada extracting a little bit of seam and a little bit of spongy bounce. The first two overs produced just eight runs.

Allen got going with back-to-back fours off Siraj in the third over – one was off the inside edge – but could have fallen next ball had Jason Holder been able to cling onto a one-hander at extra-cover. Allen was on 14 at that point.

The ball continued to do a little bit through the powerplay, and KKR ended it at 56 for 1, with Allen on 31 off 15 and Raghuvanshi, new to the crease, having shown his intent with a scooped six over his own head off Rabada.

Neither team would have believed they were on top at this stage. The match shifted decisively in KKR’s favour towards the end of the seventh over. Holder got a hard-length ball to climb awkwardly at Allen, and he swatted it straight to long-on, where Siraj put down a sitter. Next ball, Raghuvanshi whipped Holder for a big six over backward square leg.

That was the first of ten sixes that KKR hit over the next 23 legal balls they faced. Allen hit eight of them, and it didn’t matter if he was facing pace or spin. If the ball was remotely in his arc, he used his reach and launched it straight and clean with the purest of bat-swings. If it was remotely short, he rocked back and pulled anywhere in the arc from fine leg to wide long-on.

That frenetic period of play completely cancelled out KKR’s somewhat slow start, and the disadvantage they may have had of batting in the trickiest conditions of the match.

R Sai Kishore, bowling his left-arm spin from over the wicket, got Allen to hole out to deep midwicket in the 12th over, seven short of his second hundred of the season. If GT thought they could breathe a little easier, though, they were wrong, because Green and Raghuvanshi continued to find the boundary regularly.

And GT continued to be generous on the field. Arshad Khan dropped Green on 23 in the 16th over, and Washington Sundar put down a low but eminently catchable chance at deep backward square leg to reprieve Raghuvanshi on 52.

As the innings went deeper, Raghuvanshi began to show his range, hitting Siraj for three sixes in the 19th over – an inside-out loft over extra-cover, a scoop over fine leg, a sweep over backward square – as well as a reverse-swipe for four. Having taken 33 balls to get to his fifty, he scored 29 off his last 11 balls.

Green, meanwhile, reached his fifty off 26 balls, getting there with a slog-sweep off Rashid Khan in the final over, which ran away to the boundary via a misfield. A last-ball overthrow completed GT’s woes, as Raghuvanshi and Green walked off having put on an unbroken 108 off 53 balls.

GT made as good a start as they could have hoped for, but when Sai Sudharsan went off injured at the end of the third over, their momentum began to deflate. First, Pathirana – bowling for the first time this season, and bowling in the powerplay for the first time in his IPL career – sent down a seven-run fourth over. Then Sunil Narine, playing his 200th IPL game, came on and struck first ball, getting Nishant Sindhu – who had been promoted above Buttler to keep the left-right partnership going – to hole out to long-off.

Narine conceded just two runs off that over and bowled four straight balls to Gill without conceding a run off the bat.

Gill hit two sixes off Narine’s next over, but by then GT were already falling well behind the required rate. And this story continued. The good overs – such as the 18-run ninth over bowled by Anukul Roy – were surrounded by not-so-good ones – such as the eighth over, from Varun Chakravarthy, that went for just five. Green and Kartik Tyagi were able to extract bounce and a bit of grip by bowling cutters into the surface, and Buttler struggled for timing against both of them.

When Allen had been at the crease, KKR had four straight overs – from the eighth to the 11th of their innings – that brought them 15 or more runs. GT only had two such overs in the first 14 overs of their innings. Gill hit Varun for two sixes and two fours in that 14th over, but KKR immediately responded by bringing back Narine and bowling out his last two overs.

His first one went for 11, and that was still well short of the 16 an over that GT now needed. And his second – the 17th of the innings – pretty much sealed the game: five runs, and the wicket of Gill, caught on the boundary looking to sweep one of those fast, into-the-pitch, stump-to-stump Narine deliveries that generations of IPL batters have tried and failed to master.

Brief scores:
Kolkata Knight Riders 247 for 2 in 20 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 14, Finn Allen 93, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 82*, Cameron Green 52*; Mohammed Siraj 1-50, Sai Kishore 1-38) beat Gujarat Titans 218 for 4 in 20 overs (Sai Sudharsan 53*, Shubman Gill 85, Jos Buttler 57; Saurabh Dubey 1-23, Cameron Green 1-25, Sunil Narine 2-29) by 29 runs

[Cricinfo]