DDS set to return to T20I cricket after 18 months

• Intermittent rain at Dambulla
• Three-match T20I series for Rhino Roofing Cup commences today

Sa’adi Thawfeeq reporting from Dambulla

Dhananjaya de Silva, Sri Lanka’s Test captain is all set to return to T20 International cricket after a gap of 18 months when the three-match series against Pakistan played for the Rhino Roofing Cup opens at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium at 7 p.m. today.

Sri Lanka’s top and middle order failure to deliver has forced the national cricket selectors to bring back De Silva who will bat at no. 4 displacing Kusal Perera who has been rested as a precautionary measure after being hit on the hand during practice. The advantage that De Silva brings to the table is that he can also bowl spin and be used for the full quota of four overs, thereby solving Sri Lanka’s perennial issue of whether to play a 7-4 or 6-5 combination. With De Silva they can opt for 7 batters with him playing the role of fifth bowler.

“He is a player who can steady an innings. He has done it across all formats,” said Dasun Shanaka who has returned to captain his country in another T20 World Cup. “The thing is that DDS walks out mostly when the pressure is on and when it is difficult to hit boundaries. He has changed a few things with his batting. Importantly, he can contribute with the ball. It is a vital thing when it comes to T20I cricket to have those options. DDS has changed his game plan which is good. He is a good package for T20 cricket. The biggest positive is he has changed his batting style to suit T20I cricket which is an advantage for us.”

Returning to the side also is former T20I captain Charith Asalanka who missed the Pakistan T20 Tri-Series and returned home due to illness.

Sri Lanka’s 11 for today: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara.

In the event of the game being reduced to less than 20 overs Sri Lanka have the option of replacing Liyanage with fast bowler Eshan Malinga.

For the series Sri Lanka has picked a squad of 18 players that includes one uncapped player – 21-year-old off-spinner Traveen Mathew.

Dambulla is usually renowned as a dry zone but this time of the year it is the rainy season here.  

“We don’t want to do too many changes. In home conditions we have put together a combination that has worked for us. We need to put suitable players in those positions. It is important that we make most of the home conditions. We wanted good wickets for this series. Not sure how the weather will affect them. We have an idea of the pitches and we need to play well taking conditions into consideration. By the time the England series comes up, we want to have a clear idea who will feature in our side for the World Cup,” said Shanaka.

In preparation for the series Sri Lanka played warm-up matches at the R Premadasa Stadium and at Dambulla.

“We tried a few different things during those trial games. We know that from over number six to over number 15 we were not happy with our strike rate and that is something we’ve worked on. We have a lot of experience. These players have matured as they have played together since 2020 under my captaincy. I like to have a stable team. But there are occasions when players are out of form, you need to look at other options. It happened to me as well. Then you have to go back to HPC (High Performance Centre), work on your game and make a comeback. I don’t think we have been unfair to any player. We are searching for the best squad.”

For Pakistan the series is their final preparation before the T20 World Cup where they will play all their matches in Sri Lanka.

“This series will help us understand the conditions more. We are very familiar with Sri Lanka as we travel here often. Anyway, playing a series before the World Cup is good for us,” said Pakistan captain Salman Agha at the pre-match press conference.

Pakistan are without some of their experienced cricketers who are currently playing in the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia – Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali. However, apart from wicket-keeper/bat Khawaja Nafay and spin all-rounder Shadab Khan the rest of the squad were part of the recently concluded T20 Tri-Series in Pakistan between Sri Lanka and Simbabwe. Pakistan won the final beating Sri Lanka by six wickets.

“They are mega stars and have done well for us. We will miss them no doubt. We are trying some new players. Hopefully they will come good,” said Agha.