Chameera, Kumara return as Sri Lanka announce T20 World Cup squad

Lead pacer Dushmantha Chameera and experienced fast bowler Lahiru Kumara were on Friday named in Sri Lanka's 2022 T20 World Cup squad.

Chameera, who was ruled out of the Asia Cup 2022 due to an ankle injury, will have to clear the fitness tests alongside Kumara in the residential camp at Kandy set to begin next week.

Sri Lanka, who were recently crowned Asian champions in Dubai, will be led by Dasun Shanaka and have retained majority of the squad from their successful campaign.

They sport a spin-heavy line-up with Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay and Dhananjaya de Silva and have retained rookie pacers Dilshan Madushanka and Pramod Madushan following their performances in the Asia Cup.

Allrounders Chamika Karunaratne and Shanaka are the other pace options for Sri Lanka, who have left out Niroshan Dickwella out of the squad. Kusal Mendis and Bhanuka Rajapaksa are the wicketkeepers in the squad.

Ashen Bandara, Praveen Jayawickrama, Dinesh Chandimal, Binura Fernando, and Nuwanidu Fernando have been named as standbys. Jayawickrama and Bandara will be the traveling reserves for the team.

Sri Lanka are placed in the First Round Group A alongside Namibia, Netherlands and United Arab Emirates. They will kick off the T20 World Cup on October 13 with their clash against Namibia at the Kardania Park in Geelong.

Sri Lanka T20 World Cup Squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera (Subject to fitness), Lahiru Kumara (Subject to fitness), Dilshan Madushanka, Pramod Madushan.

Standby Players: Ashen Bandara, Praveen Jayawickrema, Dinesh Chandimal, Binura Fernando, Nuwanidu Fernando