Matheesha Pathirana took 19 wickets in the recently-concluded Indian Premier League (IPL), helping Chennai Super Kings to the title.

And the slingy 20-year-old quick has been included in the travelling squad after making his One Day International debut just this month against Afghanistan.

Pathirana’s style of bowling has seen comparisons drawn with the legendary Lasith Malinga, and he is will be part of a Sri Lankan squad who are the favourites to take one of two qualification places from the tournament.

The Path to the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup

Pathirana isn’t the only newbie in Sri Lanka’s squad, with 29-year-old Dushan Hemantha also selected after making just one ODI appearance in his career – a week ago against Afghanistan.

But there is no room in the group, who depart for Zimbabwe on Saturday, for the experienced Angelo Mathews.

The CWC qualifier begins on 18 June, with ten teams competing for the final two spots in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup that will be held in India later this year.

The Squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (vc & wk), Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Dushan Hemantha

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