T20 World Cup 2024: Wanindu Hasaranga leads Sri Lanka squad; injured CSK star Matheesha Pathirana included

Sri Lanka have announced their squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, with Wanindu Hasaranga leading the pack for the 2014 champions.

The squad announced on Thursday (May 9) includes Charith Asalanka as vice-captain while Chennai Super Kings (CSK) star bowler Matheesha Pathirana also made the squad despite injury ruling him out of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024).

Sri Lanka will start their campaign against South Africa on June 3 in New York and will hope to recapture glory after a decade.

Here's your Sri Lankan squad ready to roar at the ICC #T20WorldCup 2024 in the USA and Caribbean! 🇱🇰

READ: https://t.co/9Zia3yVeVZ #LankanLions pic.twitter.com/ZresMKrIqg — Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) May 9, 2024

Hasaranga to lead Sri Lanka

Once a powerhouse of world cricket, Sri Lankahave been on the declinein recent years but will aim to get back the lost glory under Hasaranga and Co.

The 15-member squad includes veteran star Angelo Matthews and Dasun ShanakawhileDunith Wellalagealsogets the cut. Matthews is the lone survivor from the Sri Lanka squad that won the T20 World Cupin2014.

Hasaranga’seligibility had earlier caused controversy as he was likely to miss the start of the tournament.

During SriLanka'sdefeat to Bangladesh on March18Hasaranga was handed demerit points for showing dissent against an umpiring decision. According to the ICC ruling, a player with eight demerit points could behandeda ban for two Tests, four ODIs or four T20Is, depending on which came first.

In this case, Hasaranga was entitled to serve his ban during the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA and could have missed up to four matches during the tournament.

However, the player and the board soon named Hasaranga in the Test squad, despite him having announced his retirement from the red-ball format.

As soon ashewas registeredfor the Test series against Bangladesh,a two-match ban was triggered, clearing the slate of eight demerit points.

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On the flip side, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, who made his IPL 2024 debut for Surnisers Hyderabad against Lucknow Super Giants onWednesdaywas not includedin the primary squad. He will join the reserve team alongside Asitha Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Janith Liyanage.

Sri Lanka squad for 2024 T20 World Cup

Wanindu Hasaranga (capt), Charith Asalanka (vc), Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Dilshan Madushanka

Travelling reserves: Asitha Fernando, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Janith Liyanage