Sri Lanka has named Dasun Shanaka as T20I captain, replacing Charith Asalanka, as it announced the squad for the T20 World Cup 2026.
Published: December 20, 2025 9:39 AM IST
New Delhi: Sri Lanka has appointed Dasun Shanakaa as the T20I captain, replacing Charith Asalanka ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup.
“We decided that Dasun Shanaka should be captain until the end of the World Cup, after talking to head coach Sanath Jayasuriya as well,” Sri Lanka Cricket chief selector Upul Tharanga Wickramasinghe said on Friday (December 19).
“The previous committee had chosen a list of 25 players. We spoke to Jerome Jayaratne, the head of high performance, as well as Sanath Jayasuriya. We decided to announce that same 25 as a preliminary squad for the World Cup.”
Asalanka captained Sri Lanka during the Tri-series in Pakistan
Asalanka had captained Sri Lanka during the recently concluded tri-series in Pakistan but had to return home due to illness, leading Shanaka to take over as stand-in captain. The tour proceeded despite safety concerns from squad members after a suicide bombing in Islamabad, which resulted in changes to match dates and venues
Sri Lanka Cricket cautioned the players and support staff member that anyone returning home against its instructions would face a formal review, with suitable action determined once the process was complete. In Asalanka’s case, however, the return was reportedly due to illness, though the severity of his condition and whether it justified leaving the tour remain unclear.
Dasun Shanaka will play as an all-rounder
Asalanka is part of the T20 World Cup squad, while selectors are considering Shanaka mainly as an all-rounder, “We are looking at Dasun as an allrounder. We’ll have to talk to Sanath Jayasuriya and work out what is required of him,” Wickramasinghe added.
Sri Lanka preliminary World Cup squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Niroshan Dickwella, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Milan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Traveen Mathew
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