Bipin Dani
Sri Lanka’s 35-year-old Test captain and the opening batter Dimuth Karunaratne is doubtful for the first Test match against Pakistan, it is learnt.
According to the sources in the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board, Dimuth Karunaratne, who has hamstring injury will undergo fitness tests in Colombo in next 48 hours and if found unfit, will not travel to Galle, the venue of the first Test beginning on July 16.
“In the absence of Dimuth’s unavailability, the team will be led by the 31-year-old all rounder Dhananjaya de Silva, who is already the vice captain”, the source close to the SLC, confirmed on Thursday morning.
Dimuth Karunaratne is carrying a hamstring injury. Another player, Lahiru Kumara is also likely to miss the first Test. The 26-year-old right arm fast bowler is still not recovered from his side-strain injury. The selectors have “almost” finalised the squad and are waiting for Dimuth’s fitness reports.
“They have selected the squad for the first Test only. The team for the second Test (to be played in Colombo (July 24-28) will be finalized on the third day of the first Test”, the source further added.
Romesh Kaluwitharana will be with the team as a selector. The first batch of about 10 players of the squad, along with the head coach Chris Silverwood and Dharshana Gamage are scheduled to reach Galle on Thursday, i.e. one day before the remaining members reach there on Friday.
Gamage was not a part of the support staff in Zimbabwe. The white and the red ball common players who were part of the recent Zimbabwe tour are give one more day off.
