Matheesha Pathirana handed maiden international call-up

19-year-old Matheesha Pathirana, who represented the Chennai Super Kings in the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League, has been handed a maiden international call-up, with the youngster being named in Sri Lanka’s squad for the three-match T20I series against Australia. Pathirana, who was signed as replacement by CSK for the injured Adam Milne, impressed in the two appearances he made, and even earned big words of praise from franchise skipper MS Dhoni. 

Addressing Pathirana as ‘Malinga’, Dhoni said that he expects the 19-year-old to do big things for CSK in the years to come. Following the maiden IPL stint, the young fast bowler has now seen himself find a place in the national team’s squad to take on defending champions Australia.

Outside Pathirana, another youngster, Nuwanindo Fernando, has also made the squad. Following impressing in England representing a Sri Lankan developmental XI,  the 22-year-old opener has been called up to the national squad. In fact, on Sunday (May 29), Fernando struck an unbeaten 126 that helped the SLC Dev XI get the better of Gloucestershire.

The other major development is the return of Bhanuka Rajapaska. The 30-year-old had a fine T20 World Cup in UAE last year, but has since not represented the side due to a host of issues and controversies. Against India, the southpaw did not make the squad on fitness grounds. But on the back of an impressive IPL campaign, Rajapaska has found his way back into the national squad.

Wanindu Hasaranga missed Sri Lanka’s last T20I series due to Covid, but now fully fit, the leg-spinner returns to the squad and will be brimming with confidence following an impressive IPL season, where he picked 26 wickets. Hasaranga will be partnered by Maheesh Theekshana, who also enjoyed a fine IPL season, and the squad also features Praveen Jayawickrama, Ramesh Mendis and the returning Lakshan Sandakan. 

All-rounder Dhananajaya de Silva, wicket-keepers Dinesh Chandimal and Niroshan Dickwella have all been left out, while Avishka Fernando and Kusal Perera remain unavailable through injury.  

The first of the three T20Is will be played at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on June 7. 

Sri Lanka squad: Dasun Shanaka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Nuwanidu Fernando, Lahiru Madushanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lakshan Sandakan