Angelo Mathews, the Test and One-Day International skipper, also returned to the side, having recovered from a groin injury, and will be Malinga’s deputy.
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Defending champions Sri Lanka on Thursday announced a 15-member squad for the World Twenty20 and Asia Cup, which precedes the former.
The spin-bowling contingent features Herath, Sachithra Senanayake and Vandersay, while Milinda Siriwardana’s left-arm spin and Jayasuriya’s offspin is also available.
Dasun Shanaka – who took three wickets in the first T20I against India and impressed in the domestic games earlier – and Niroshan Dickwella retained their places, but Kasun Rajitha, who dazzled with 3 for 29 on his debut in that first win in Pune, was ignored.
Tillakaratne Dilshan and Mathews will have to carry the batting on their experienced shoulders with Jayasuriya, Dickwella and Dinesh Chandimal in support. He will be among those contending to partner Dilshan at the top of the order, with Kusal Perera suspended due to a doping charge. He had, however, averaged more than 43 in ODIs previous year – though he did not play T20 internationals.
The Asia Cup is slated to be held in Bangladesh from February 24 followed by the T20 pinnacle event in India, starting from March 8.
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Malinga had led his side to a historic World Cup triumph in 2014 when the islanders beat India in a low-scoring encounter in the final.
