BAN vs SL: Niroshan Dickwella replaces Kusal Perera in T20I squad

The selectors of Sri Lanka Cricket have named Niroshan Dickwella as a replacement for Kusal Perera for the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh, which is slated to begin on Monday, March 4 in Sylhet. Notably, the 33-year-old is currently suffering from a respiratory infection, which has ruled him out of the upcoming series.

Notably, the Lankan Lions have already travelled to Bangladesh and are likely to attend the final of the ongoing BPL on March 1 in Dhaka. Dickwella is slated to join the squad on March 2 and is likely to open alongside Kusal Mendis as Pathum Nissanka has withdrawn from the upcoming series.

In case the team management goes with Avishka Fernando as one of the openers, Mendis can move down to No.3, while Sadeera Samarawickrama to bat at No. 4, followed by Charith Asalanka at five.

They have a lot of finishers to choose from as there’s currently immense competition for the No. 6 and 7th spot. Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka seemed the favourites in the Afghanistan series but Kamindu Mendis did remarkably well in the final T20I, to put more pressure on the team management. Other than that, they also have Akila Dananjaya and Dhananjaya de Silva to choose from.

Dilshan Madushanka will lead the bowling unit, as he also has the support of Matheesa Pathirana and Maheesh Theekshana. They will look to be a strong unit and will aim to get the job done ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, which is slated to begin on June 1. Since this is their last assignment ahead of the mega tournament, the team management will keep a close eye on certain players who will not feature in the upcoming Indian Premier League.

Coming to the hosts, they will be without the services of former skipper Shakib Al Hasan. Meanwhile, just like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh too would prioritise the series, keeping the T20 World Cup in mind.