The new selection committee led Graeme Labrooy is expected to name the Sri Lanka Cricket squad to face Pakistan in the coming hours with the Test team expected to travel to UAE on Sunday.
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Before the five-man selection panel announces the squad, we at ThePapare.com took the time to name a probable 16-man squad to play the two-match Test series against Pakistan. The squad has been picked from the 25-man provisional squad announced during the first week of this month by the previous selection committee.
Kusal Janith Perera and Asela Gunarathne are still recovering from injuries and will not be considered for selection while fast-bowler Dhammika Prasad is yet to prove match fitness and will probably need some more time to play a full Test match.
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Diminutive opening batsman Kaushal Silva who last played a Test match in January against the Proteas’ will most probably slot into the opening spot vacated by Upul Tharanga, who will not play the longer version of the game for the next 6 months.
Stylish batsman Lahiru Thirimanne made two half-centuries in three ODIs against India which might justify his place in the touring party, despite him not being a part of the Test set up for more than a year.
Dhananjaya De Silva has been in prolific form during the recent 25th Singer-MCA tournament for LB Finance and will surely edge out stiff competition from Roshen Silva for the extra batsman’s position.
Despite capturing only 2 wickets in the three-match series against India, Dilruwan Perera is expected to keep his place in the squad along with veteran Rangana Herath and chinaman Lakshan Sandakan. Left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara might also make the cut to provide back-up for Herath.
Sri Lanka name 25-man provisional squad for Pakistan Tests
Sri Lanka Cricket has announced a provisional squad for the forthcoming Test serieS…
Fast bowling duo, Nuwan Pradeep and Suranga Lakmal are deemed fit and will most likely share the new ball with young speedster Lahiru Kumara and left-arm seamer Vishwa Fernando providing back-up.
Young players like Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Akila Dananjaya and Jeffrey Vandersay will probably be named in the Sri Lanka ‘A’ squad to take on West Indies to gain much-needed exposure and experience.
Probable Sri Lanka Test squad – Dimuth Karunarathne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal (Captain), Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne, Niroshan Dickwella, Dilruwan Perera, Rangana Herath, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Dhananjaya De Silva, Lakshan Sandakan, Malinda Pushpakumara.
