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Wednesday, 14 January 2026 03:56 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Sa’adi Thawfeeq
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Chairman of cricket selectors Pramodya Wickramasinghe
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The earlier idea of playing the Sri Lanka squad selected for the T20 World Cup against England in the three-match T20 International series next month may not materialise.
“The plan was to play the England series with the squad selected for the World Cup. Sometimes it may not be possible because we will need to rest some of the players,” said cricket selection committee chairman Pramodya Wickramasinghe at the end of the three-match T20I series against Pakistan.
“Dushmantha Chameera had a small injury, a groin strain. We didn’t want to take a risk and we rested him for the third T20I against Pakistan. We need to see how fit he is. There are a few issues like that.”
“We are not certain whether we will play the England series with the squad selected for the World Cup. We will meet to select the Sri Lanka ODI squad for the England series. We will take that matter up with the captain and the coach.”
Sri Lanka plays England in a three-match ODI series at the R Premadasa Cricket Stadium on 22, 24 and 27 January.
Wickramasinghe said that they would have got a better idea if all three T20I matches against Pakistan had gone the distance. Only the first match was played to the full. The second was washed out by rain without a ball bowled and third was reduced to a 12-over affair.
Wickramasinghe said that he was pleased with the way Sri Lanka played in the third and final match to draw the series one-all.
“It was a very good wicket for batting and the batsmen delivered. The main thing is that the batsmen need confidence before the World Cup. In the series against England also if we can bat as we did today (Sunday), with our bowling we will have a good side. The main purpose is to give the players confidence and to up their levels. The way they played today is a good example. The team has the experience, what they need is to prepare themselves for the requirement of a T20I. If they can keep the positives that came out of the match in their heads they will be able to perform.”
Wickramasinghe said the selection committee had a rough idea of what the composition for the World Cup should be. “There are only a few things that need sorting out. We have plans to finalise the 15 with the head coach Sanath Jayasuriya. We have till 30 January to submit our final 15 for the World Cup. We still have a chance to make any changes if necessary. We want to select a side with players who are in form.”
Sri Lanka has virtually 13 places sealed for the World Cup with only two yet to be filled. The 11 players who took part in the third T20I against Pakistan plus the two fast bowlers who were rested Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara make the 13. The selectors will have to decide on the remaining two places.
Of the squad of 18 players named for the Pakistan T20I series those who didn’t get a game are Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Wellalage and Traveen Mathew.
The three T20I matches against England at Pallekele commence on 30 November with the second and third matches scheduled for 1 and 3 February.
