Shanaka gets surprise ODI recall; Asalanka too in T20s
Former Sri Lanka white-ball captains Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka are set to return to the national white-ball squads for the forthcoming series against England, the Sunday Times can confirm.
Sri Lanka will play three T20 internationals followed by three ODIs against England, with the series beginning on September 15 and concluding with the final ODI on September 27.
Asalanka, who lost the captaincy following last year’s series against Pakistan, was left out of the West Indies T20 series in June after a prolonged dip in form. The left-hander has scored just 255 runs in 19 innings since January 2025.
However, his form improved during the recent Lanka Premier League, where he played a key role for champions Galle Gallants, scoring three half-centuries. That run has earned him a recall to the T20 squad.
He is expected to be joined by Lahiru Udara, the 32-year-old opener who was the leading run-scorer in the LPL. Udara amassed 434 runs in nine innings, including the tournament’s highest individual score of 132 not out.
Ambidextrous spinner Tharindu Rathnayake has also earned a call-up to the T20 side.
The more surprising selection is Shanaka’s inclusion in the ODI squad as Sri Lanka continues to build towards next year’s 50-over World Cup in South Africa. Shanaka, who turns 35 next month, captained Sri Lanka at the last ODI World Cup but subsequently lost his place after the selectors, then led by Upul Tharanga, opted to move on from the experienced all-rounder amid concerns over his form and age.
He has now been handed another opportunity, with the team management keen to have a hard-hitting finisher in the middle order. Shanaka has played 71 ODIs since making his debut in 2016, scoring 1,299 runs, including two centuries and four half-centuries.
Uncapped leg-spinner Sachindu Colombage has also been included in the ODI squad following a promising run in domestic cricket. Captain Kusal Mendis and opener Pathum Nissanka, who missed the recent Test series against India through injury, are also expected to return to the white-ball squad for the England series.
