SL announces squad for ODI Tri-series against Pakistan, Zimbabwe:Matheesha Pathirana ruled out due to illness, Madushanka suffers injury scare; series begins on Nov 11 in Rawalpindi

Sri Lanka will travel to Pakistan without two of their key pacers, Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka, as both have been ruled out ahead of the tour. According to reports, Pathirana is suffering from an upper respiratory tract infection, while Madushanka has yet to recover from a knee injury fully. Their absence is a big blow to Sri Lanka’s pace attack as the team prepares for a challenging away series. The Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) announced the squads for both the ODI and T20 series on Friday. The tour will include three ODIs followed by a tri-series involving Zimbabwe. The ODI series will begin on November 11 in Rawalpindi, with all matches scheduled to be played at the same venue. After the ODI leg, Sri Lanka will stay back in Pakistan for the tri-series starting November 19. Zimbabwe will be the third team in the competition, giving all sides a chance to prepare for future ICC tournaments. Malinga replaces injured Madushanka in ODI squad To fill Madushanka’s spot, Sri Lanka has included young pacer Ishan Malinga in the ODI squad. The selectors have also made a few other changes, aiming to balance experience with fresh talent. Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Pramod Madhushan have been called up to strengthen the side. Meanwhile, Navidu Fernando, Milan Priyanath Ratnayake, Nishan Madushka, and Dunith Wellalage have missed out on selection. The team will be led by Charith Asalanka, who continues to grow in his leadership role after being handed captaincy duties recently. Four changes in the T20 squad for the Tri-series Sri Lanka’s T20 squad, which failed to progress beyond the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup, has seen four changes. Pathirana’s absence due to illness means Asitha Fernando joins the pace unit. The selectors have also dropped Navidu Fernando, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, and Binura Fernando, while Bhanuka Rajapakse, Janith Liyanage, Dushan Hemantha, and Ishan Malinga have been included to bring more balance to the team. SL squad for ODI series and Tri-series ODI Squad: Charith Asalanka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Pawan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Pramod Madhushan, Eshan Malinga. T20 Squad: Charith Asalanka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mishara, Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapakse, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Asitha Fernando, Eshan Malinga.