Hasaranga Returns: Sri Lanka Names Star All-rounder in Asia Cup Squad, Fitness Test Awaited

Sri Lanka have named Wanindu Hasaranga in their 16-member squad for Asia Cup T20 2025, though the leg-spinning allrounder's participation is subject to fitness clearance. Hasaranga has been sidelined since picking up a hamstring injury during the ODI series against Bangladesh in July, which subsequently ruled him out of the T20I series against them and both the ODI and T20I squads for the tour of Zimbabwe.

Sri Lanka's selectors have otherwise opted for a familiar core led by Charith Asalanka, with Dasun Shanaka being the other all-round pace option. Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera form the top-order nucleus, Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage provide spin options, while Dushmantha Chameera heads the pace attack alongside Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara and Binura Fernando. Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne and Kamil Mishara are also part of the squad for Asia Cup.

Sri Lanka squad for Asia Cup 2025: Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana

Compared to the squad that took on Bangladesh in July, the Asia Cup group leaves out senior names like Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando and Jeffrey Vandersay, while Mishara and Kamindu Mendis have been drafted in. The T20I squad for the Zimbabwe tour, meanwhile, features Vishen Halambage and Dushan Hemantha in Hasaranga's absence, with the rest of the Asia Cup core

Sri Lanka are drawn in Group B of the Asia Cup alongside Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Hong Kong. They begin their campaign against Bangladesh on September 13 in Abu Dhabi, before facing Afghanistan on September 16 in Dubai and Hong Kong on September 18 in Abu Dhabi.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe gets underway on September 3 following the two ODIs on August 29 and 31.

Sri Lanka squad for Zimbabwe T20Is: Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Vishen Halambage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana