Former Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal has been named in Sri Lanka’s squad of 19 for the three-match T20I series against South Africa and the T20 World Cup in UAE and Oman.

A few months back it seemed like Chandimal’s career in white-ball cricket was over when the selectors decided to ignore him for successive series against Bangladesh, England and India. But he fought back to be in contention for selection by performing well as the captain of SLC Reds in the Invitational T20 League conducted by Sri Lanka Cricket to be included for the white ball series against South Africa.

Missing out from the squad of 22 named for the South African series are batsman Pathum Nissanka, wicket-keeper/batsman Minod Bhanuka and off-spinner Ramesh Mendis.

The selectors named a provisional squad of 19 which has to be submitted to the ICC by today. The final squad of 15 for the T20 World Cup will be selected from this squad at the end of the 3-match T20I series against South Africa which commences at the R. Premadasa Stadium today.

Sri Lanka Provisional Squad of 19 for T20 World Cup and South African T20 Series (subject to Sports Ministry ratification): Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Dhananjaya de Silva (Vice-Captain), Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Lahiru Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Pradeep, Binura Fernando, Akila Dananjaya, Maheesh Theekshana, Praveen Jayawickrama, Pulina Tharanga. (ST)

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