Sri Lanka name 16-member squad for South Africa T20 series

After a disappointing series loss against South Africa in the limited-overs format, the Lankans will play a T20 series against the Proteas. Currently, the series stands 4-0 in the five-match series with final ODI to be played on March 16. The first T20I will be played on 19 March. Sri Lanka has announced their squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against South Africa. Sri Lankan spearhead Lasith Malinga will continue to captain the side.

Jeffrey Vandersay, the leg-spinner whose last T20I appearance came in the 2016 ICC World T20, has been called up, with Suranga Lakmal also making a return to the limited-overs set-up. Lakmal's inclusion comes after he featured in Sri Lanka's Test series victory over the Proteas.

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Despite making his T20I debut in 2011, he has played in only 10 T20Is, returning just seven wickets. Dinesh Chandimal remains in international exile, with Priyamal Perera – whose international debut in the fourth ODI against South Africa saw him return a first-ball duck – included in the 16-man squad.

This remains to be seen if Sri Lanka can put up a better show in the shortest format, as they have been thrashed in the fifty-over format. 

Squad: Lasith Malinga (c) Niroshan Dickwella, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Perera, Dhananjaya De Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Priyamal Perera, Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Isuru Udana, Asitha Fernando, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lakshan Sandakan

HIGHLIGHTS

• In five-match series, the series stands 4-0 in favour of South Africa with one game still to play. 
• The T20 series is scheduled to start on March 19. 
• Lasith Malinga will continue as a captain in the shortest format.