By Madushka Balasuriya

Dinesh Chandimal will head the Sri Lanka President XI side to face Bangladesh in their only warm-up match ahead of the first Test on 7 March, SLC has announced. 

The two-day practice match will begin today in Moratuwa. Chandimal is the only member of the squad selected for the Bangladesh series who will play in the warm-up game, with his inclusion likely an attempt on the part of the selectors to offer him a chance to play competitive cricket ahead of the series.

The national team Vice Captain was dropped from Sri Lanka’s T20 squad which toured Australia last month following his dismal showing in South Africa, after which he was advised by Chief Selector Sanath Jayasuriya to return to club cricket and work on his game. Chandimal, who has a top score of 36 across his last 12 international innings, has not played competitive cricket since the end of the South Africa tour but will look at this as an opportunity to secure his place in the first test.

Full 15-man Sri Lanka President XI squad: 

•     Batsman: Dinesh Chandimal (Captain), Irosh Samarakkody, Ron Chandraguptha, Avishka Fernando, Leo Fransisco (WK), Kamindu Mendis, Wanidu Hasaranga, Roshene Silva, Kavinda Kulasekera and Romesh Buddhika 
•     Fast bowlers: Chamika Karunaratne, Lahiru Samarakoon and Uditha Madushanka 
•     Spinners: Praveen Jayawickrama and Lasith Ambuldeniya