Sri Lankan players in ILT20 required to return home

Thursday, 18 December 2025 03:19 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

To prepare for forthcoming white-ball series and T20 World Cup

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has requested its national players currently participating in the International League T20 (ILT20) tournament in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to return to the country by 20 December, despite having earlier granted permission for them to compete in the League until early January.

SLC CEO Ashley de Silva said that the players have been asked to return to Sri Lanka as they need to train as a squad for the upcoming white-ball matches against Pakistan and England at home next month and the ICC T20 World Cup in February-March in Sri Lanka and India.

de Silva said the new selection committee would pick the squad to prepare for the forthcoming matches and the T20 World Cup.

Several Sri Lankan players are currently featuring in the ILT20, including Pathum Nissanka, Maheesh Theekshana, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Nuwan Thushara, and Matheesha Pathirana. Nissanka has been among the standout performers in the tournament, while Pathirana and Kamindu have each won Player of the Match awards during the tournament. In addition, several players who were expected to join the ILT20 later, including Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera, will not be available following the recall.