Kusal Perera struck down by viral flu; to join squad in Bangladesh late

• Lankan T20I team leaves for three-match series today

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

The Sri Lanka team for the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh will leave for Sylhet today without top order batsman Kusal Perera who is expected to join the squad later.

“Perera is suffering from a viral flu and cough and is currently under medication. He is unable to travel with the team,” said Sri Lanka team Manager Mahinda Halangoda.

“Kusal has been told to recover before joining the team in Bangladesh and there is a likelihood that he could miss the first T20I scheduled to be played on 4 March. Once he is given the green light, Perera will travel to Bangladesh with Piyal Wijetunge who will be the spin bowling coach for the tour. Both of them are expected to be in Bangladesh before the start of the series.”

Earlier, opener Pathum Nissanka was ruled out of the series with a hamstring injury and was replaced by Avishka Fernando.

The team will be captained by Wanindu Hasaranga with Charith Asalanka as his deputy. Hasaranga however will not be able to play in the first two T20Is as he is under ICC suspension for two matches following his outburst against Sri Lanka umpire Lyndon Hannibal in the third T20I against Afghanistan on 21 February.

In Hasaranga’s absence Asalanka will lead the side in the first two T20Is on 4 and 6 March at Sylhet. Leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay was added to the squad to make up for Hasaranga’s absence in the first two matches.

Hasaranga will return to captain the side in the third T20I on 9 March at Sylhet.

The squad comprises players who recently took part in the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe and Afghanistan which Sri Lanka won by 2-1 margins.

SRI LANKA T20I SQUAD TO BANGLADESH

Wanindu Hasaranga (Captain), Charith Asalanka (Vice-Captain), Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Perera, Dilshan Madushanka, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Akila Dananjaya, Binura Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay.