Asalanka Will lead Sri Lanka in the First Two T20Is Against Bangladesh

Asalanka in place of Hasaranga -

Charith Asalanka will replace suspended Wanindu Hasaranga as Sri Lanka's captain for the first two of three T20Is against Bangladesh, which begin on March 4 in Sylhet. Asalanka, the appointed vice-captain, will lead Sri Lanka for the first time.

Sri Lanka has substituted opening batter Avishka Fernando for Pathum Nissanka, who is recovering from an injury incurred during the recent series against Afghanistan. Legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay, who last played a T20I in February 2022, has also been recalled.

The ICC suspended Hasaranga for two T20Is after he clashed with umpire Lyndon Hannibal in the third T20I against Afghanistan on February 21. He will return as captain for the final T20I on March 9.

Fernando and Vandersay to be included in the team -

Fernando was brought into the squad mostly because of his good ODI performance. In the three-game series against Afghanistan, he scored 91 off 66 balls in 3rd match and 88 for 88 balls in the first match. He last played a T20 International in January of last year and has been an inconsistent member of Sri Lanka's squad due to a combination of fitness and form. However, Sri Lanka's new selectors are eager to reinsert him into the team.

Vandersay, meanwhile, hasn't played a T20I in two years. In the matches in which Hasaranga is suspended, he primarily serves as a substitute. Akila Dananjaya and Maheesh Theekshana are the other frontline spinners on the team.
The first T20I is set on March 4. The entire series will be played in Sylhet.

Sri Lanka T20I squad:

Wanindu Hasaranga (capt for last game), Charith Asalanka (capt for first two games), Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Janith Perera, Dilshan Madushanka, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Akila Dananjaya, Binura Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay