Sri Lanka name 4 uncapped players for first Test v BD

Saturday, 7 June 2025 01:36 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Akila Dananjaya

Lahiru Udara

Pawan Rathnayake

Pasindu Sooriyabandara

Tharindu Rathnayake

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Sri Lanka have picked four uncapped players and recalled versatile spinner Akila Dananjaya in their 18-member squad for the first cricket Test against Bangladesh starting at Galle on 17 June.

Middle order batsmen Pawan Rathnayake and Pasindu Sooriyabandara, opener Lahiru Udara and ambidextrous spinner Tharindu Rathnayake are the four uncapped players named in the squad.

They replace Dimuth Karunaratne (who has retired from international cricket), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Nishan Peiris, Ramesh Mendis and Jeffrey Vandersay from the squad that played the last Test series against Australia four months ago.

Dananjaya (31) makes a return to the Test side after six years. He earns a recall following an outstanding domestic season that saw him finish as the leading wicket-taker in the National Super League 4-day tournament with 37 wickets at an average of 25.37 from five matches for Dambulla who finished runner-up to Galle. He also took 34 wickets (avg. 19.64) in seven matches for Colts in the Major League tournament. He played the last of his six Tests in August 2019 against New Zealand at Galle. Since making his Test debut against Bangladesh in 2018 Dananjaya has 33 wickets at an average of 24.81.

Pawan Rathnayake (22), Sooriyabandara (25), Udara (31) and Tharindu Rathnayake (29) have been knocking on the door for recognition at the top level for quite some time with consistent performances in the domestic circuit and for Sri Lanka ‘A’ and deserve the break they have got.

Sonal Dinusha another uncapped player is already in the squad which was named for the Australian series.

With Angelo Mathews due to retire after the first Test these players are likely to get a break in the second Test which is scheduled to commence at the SSC from 25 June.

Sri Lanka squad for first Test

Dhananjaya de Silva (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis, Sonal Dinusha, Pawan Rathnayake, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Prabath Jayasuriya, Akila Dananjaya, Tharindu Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Milan Rathnayake

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