Bipin Dani
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced the 15-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup beginning in Pakistan and Sri Lanka from Wednesday, two more players are added as standbyes, it is learned.
According to the sources, Nuwan Thusara and Sahan Arachchige have also travelled to Kandy and joined the team as back up players.
The 27-year-old Sahan Arachchige is a top order batter, who can also bowl off-breaks. He has already played two ODIs’ against West Indies and Netherlands in the qualifying round in Zimbabwe in July this year. The 29-year-old Nuwan is a right-arm medium pacer.
“The official squad has 15 members and these two are standbyes. They have been training with the other team members and will also be part of the last practice session before Sri Lanka’s first match against Bangladesh on Thursday”, one of the sources told this Rep;orter in the morning. “We are not sure whether all 17 may be allowed to sit in the dug-out area during the matches. It will be up to the ICC and the ACC to confirm”, the source further added.
According to the hotel sources, Kusal Janith Perera, who left Colombo on Tuesday night has joined the team hotel post-midnight. He was suffering from a flu and has recovered.
“The team has also ordered a birthday cake for the wicketkeeper Sadeera Samarawickrama, who turned 28 on Wednesday”, the hotel source further added.
“The team management has allowed the family members to join the team hotel and accordingly the wives of captain Dasun Shanaka, Kasun Rajitha and Charith Asalanka have already joined the team hotel. Binura’s wife is likely to arrive Wednesday evening”, the source confirmed.
