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Hasaranga, Pathirana Included As Sri Lanka Announce Playing XI For 1st T20I Against West Indies

Hasaranga and Pathirana will be key for SL (Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.com)Hasaranga and Pathirana will be key for SL (Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.com)

Sri Lanka have announced their playing XI for the first T20I against West Indies scheduled to be played on October 13th. It is a three-match series and Charith Asalanka will lead the side with all the star players fit and raring to go. All the matches of the series will be played at the Dambulla Cricket Stadium and it promises to be a close series with quality players in both teams.

The dynamic duo of Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis will open the batting for Sri Lanka while the experienced Kusal Perera will continue to bat at 3 after decent performance in the last T20I series against India. Kamindu Mendis and Charith Asalanka will form the core of middle order along with the returning Bhanuka Rajapaksa.

Onus On Franchise Stars To Make Impact

The star bowling trio of Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana are also back and will add firepower to the attack. Young bowling all-rounder Chamidu Wickramasinghe has also been given an opportunity while Asitha Fernando has also been included after his impressive performance in red-ball cricket. Nuwan Thushara misses out despite his popularity in franchise leagues around the world.

Sri Lanka's last T20I series was against India where they were whitewashed by Men in Blue. However, all the matches were close in that series and Sri Lanka would be looking to translate their Test and ODI form into T20Is as well. West Indies, on the other hand, are coming into this series on the back of a splendid performance against the Proteas and it would be interesting to see how they go about their business in subcontinent conditions.

Sri Lanka's Playing XI for 1st T20I vs WI

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (C), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamidu Wickramasinghe, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Asitha Fernando