Sri Lanka Tests Youngsters Against Bangladesh

Sports Desk

Sri Lanka has included six uncapped players in their 18-member squad for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. Another player has just four Test caps to his name. Among the six newcomers, five have never played any form of international cricket. Sri Lanka appears to be testing inexperienced players against the likes of Najmul Hossain Shanto and his team.

The first Test of the two-match series will begin on Monday in Galle, followed by the second Test on June 25 in Colombo. The inclusion of these six new players has sparked discussions ahead of the series.

The new faces in the squad are:

• Lahiru Udara
• Pasinda Suriya Bandara
• Sonal Dinusha
• Pawan Rathnayake
• Tharindu Rathnayake
• Ishitha Bijesundara

Notably, Tharindu Rathnayake is a rare ambidextrous bowler capable of delivering both right-arm off-break and left-arm orthodox spin, similar to Kamindu Mendis. Tharindu is primarily a bowling all-rounder. Sonal Dinusha, on the other hand, is being considered as a potential successor to Angelo Mathews, who is set to retire after the first Test of the series.

Veteran off-spinner Akila Dananjaya has made a comeback to the Test team after six years and is set to don the whites once again for Sri Lanka. The pace attack will rely on Kasun Rajitha and Asitha Fernando.

Under the leadership of Dhananjaya de Silva, the Sri Lankan squad also includes seasoned players like Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews.

Sri Lanka’s 18-member squad for the Test series against Bangladesh:
Dhananjaya de Silva (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Pasinda Suriya Bandara, Sonal Dinusha, Pawan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Tharindu Rathnayake, Akila Dananjaya, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, and Ishitha Bijesundara.