Wicket-keeper batter Minod Bhanuka has been injured ahead of the upcoming ODI series between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.
Bhanuka is the seventh Sri Lankan player from the initial 18-member squad, to be ruled out on the upcoming series against Zimbabwe.
From the initial 18-member squad selected, batters Avishka Fernando, Kamil Mishara and Janith Liyanage were withdrawn having tested positive for COVID-19. Furthermore, two seamers Kalana Perera and speedster Lahiru Kumara were dropped for having failed their fitness tests last week.
Sri Lanka white-ball Vice-Captain Dhananjaya De Silva was also left out from the squad as he was granted paternity leave.
Meanwhile Niroshan Dickwella, who is coming out from a suspension, has been added to the squad as cover for Bhanuka. Apart from that, Ashen Bandara has also been called up to the Sri Lanka squad for the ODI series against Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, addressing the media ahead of first ODI against Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka Skipper Dasun Shanka mentioned that speedster Dushmantha Chameera is likely to miss the first ODI as he just recovered from COVID-19.
Sri Lanka Squad – Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Minod Bhanuka, Dinesh Chandimal, Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Ashen Bandara, Kamindu Mendis, Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Jeffrey Vandersay, Maheesh Theekshana, Praveen Jayawickrama, Dushmantha Chameera, Chamika Gunasekara, Nuwan Pradeep, Shiran Fernando, Nuwan Thushara
Standby players – Pulina Tharanga, Nimesh Vimukthi, Ashain Daniel, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando
Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe fixtures
- 1st ODI – 16th January – 2.30pm – Pallekelle
- 2nd ODI – 18th January – 2.30pm – Pallekelle
- 3rd ODI – 21st January – 2.30pm – Pallekelle
