Major blow for Sri Lanka: skipper Charith Asalanka and another star ruled out of Pakistan tri-series, SLC announces 23-year-old as replacement

Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka and fast bowler Asitha Fernando will miss the tri-series featuring Zimbabwe and Pakistan, which is scheduled to start from November 22. Notably, the Sri Lankan cricket team is currently in Pakistan for the three-match ODI series where Pakistan whitewashed the visitors 3-0.

Pakistan tri-series schedule

The tri-series is scheduled to start on November 18 and the duo will return home because they are suffering from illness. Sri Lanka cricket said that this is a precautionary decision to ensure they receive proper care and sufficient time to recover
ahead of future assignments. Sri Lanka Cricket took their 'X', formerly known as Twitter, to announce the developments.

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"Sri Lanka Tour of Pakistan. Two Players Returning Home, Captain Charith Asalanka and fast bowler Asitha Fernando, both suffering from illness, will return home. The two players will not take part in the upcoming tri-series featuring Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe" wrote Sri Lanka Cricket.

"This precautionary decision ensures they receive proper care and sufficient time to recover ahead of future assignments. Dasun Shanaka to Captain With Asalanka unavailable, Dasun Shanaka will lead Sri Lanka during the tri-series. Squad Update: Pavan Rathnayake has been added to the T20I squad as a replacement" added SLC.

New skipper for Sri Lanka

In the absence of a regular skipper, Dasun Shanaka will lead the side in the tri-series. SLC also added Pavan Rathnayake in their T20I squad as a replacement. Sri Lanka will start their campaign against Pakistan on November 18 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Why Sri Lanka decided to feature in Pakistan despite terror attack

Several Sri Lanka players wanted to return home due to security concerns following a deadly suicide attack in Islamabad recently but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi assured them of watertight security, following which the visitors decided to stay.

PCB rescheduled venues and dates of the tri-series

Pakistan and Sri Lanka were to clash in the second ODI of the three-match series in Rawalpindi on November 13 but that game has been postponed to November 14, while the third match was rescheduled from November 15 to 16 at the same venue.

The PCB also rescheduled the T20I tri-series opener between Pakistan and Zimbabwe from November 17 to 18, besides making Rawalpindi the sole venue for the tournament amid security concerns.

The second game of the seven-match rubber was also postponed by a day to November 20.

Sri Lanka updated squad

Dasun Shanaka (c) Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Kamil Mishara, Kamindu Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga, Pavan Rathnayake.