Lahiru Thirimanne and Suranga Lakmal drafted into Sri Lanka squad

Left-handed batsman Lahiru Thirimanne and right-arm pacer Suranga Lakmal have been drafted into the Sri Lankan squad for the upcoming World T20 2016. The changes come amid an injury crisis within the Sri Lankan squad.

Earlier in the week, Lasith Malinga had announced his resignation from the post of captain of Sri Lanka following a disastrous Asia Cup 2016 campaign. Malinga is also set to miss a massive chunk of the tournament following a knee injury. Angelo Mathews, the captain of the Test and ODI team has taken over from Malinga.

Initially, the exclusion of Lahiru Thirimanne was met with shock given his exploits on the domestic stage in the year 2015. Former Sri Lankan legends Kumar Sangakkara and Aravinda de Silva had called for the inclusion of Thirimanne as early as 2015. The selectors now have little choice but to restore Thirimanne in the World T20 squad. Thirimanne is widely viewed by many as a replacement for Kumar Sangakkara.

He has been in good domestic form in first-class cricket, having hit two centuries and a fifty in five innings over the span of a month. In 2015, Thirimanne’s average in 24 ODIs played read 43.05. He was also a key member within the side that triumphed in the 2014 edition of the World T20, scoring a vital 44 against the West Indies in the semifinal.

Suranga Lakmal, fresh from captaining his side in the Premier League tournament too has been drafted in the side. Although missing parts of the League courtesy of injury, Lakmal is fit at the moment and will be raring to go. He claimed 19 wickets in the domestic tournament.

These late additions come at the expense of wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella and Jeffrey Vandesay. The latter remained unused right through the Asia Cup.

The Sri Lanka squad now includes five fast bowlers including all-rounders Dasun Shanaka, Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera. The Lankans will embark on their journey to India tomorrow.

Squad: Angelo Mathews (capt), Dushmantha Chameera, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Rangana Herath, Shehan Jayasuriya, Chamara Kapugedera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Thisara Perera, Sachithra Senanayake, Dasun Shanaka, Milinda Siriwardana, Suranga Lakmal