Sri Lanka name new captain in T20 World Cup preliminary squad
Charith Asalanka has been replaced by a seasoned all-rounder as Sri Lanka make new plans ahead of the T20 World Cup at home.
Sri Lanka have announced a 25-member preliminary squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with all-rounder Dasun Shanaka taking charge as the new skipper as they begin preparations for the marquee ICC event.
Shanaka will lead the group, with the squad featuring a strong core of white-ball experience in the form of Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera and former skipper Asalanka.
Sri Lanka preliminary squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026:
Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Milan Rathnayake, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Traveen Mathew
All-round depth remains a key strength, with Wanindu Hasaranga, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis and Dunith Wellalage offering balance with both the bat and ball.
The bowling unit includes established pace options such as Dushmantha Chameera and Matheesha Pathirana, alongside mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana.
Several younger players like Eshan Malinga, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth and Traveen Mathew have also earned opportunities to stake an early claim ahead of the tournament.
13 players from the previous T20 World Cup in 2024 have been retained for the next edition of the tournament, including Shanaka, Hasaranga, Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, de Silva, Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka.
The preliminary squad gives Sri Lanka flexibility as they look to fine-tune combinations over the next year, with the final squad to be confirmed closer to the tournament, beginning February 7.
Sri Lanka's group stage fixtures:
February 8: v Ireland, Colombo
February 12: v Oman, Pallekele
February 16: v Australia, Pallekele
February 19: v Zimbabwe, Colombo