Dasun Shanaka left out of Sri Lanka's 16-member ODI squad ahead of AFG series

Dasun Shanaka (Pic: AFP)

Sri Lanka is all set to clash with Afghanistan for the three-match ODI series starting from February 8. Ahead of the series, former captain Dasun Shanaka has been left out of Sri Lanka's 16-member squad.

Along with Dasun Shanaka, batter Nuwanidu Fernando and leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay have also been left out of the squad. All-rounder Chamika Karunaratne and opening batter Shevon Daniel have joined the squad. The first face-off will be played at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, followed by the second clash to be played on February 11. The third and final ODI match between teams will be played on February 14.

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Dasun Shanaka's snub comes after his poor run in the ODI format. He managed to score just one half-century in the last 21 ODI innings and also had an average of 12.25. In a total of 71 ODI matches played for Sri Lanka, Dasun Shanaka has accumulated 1,299 runs including two centuries and four half-centuries.

Earlier in the year, he was removed from the white ball captaincy before the beginning of the Zimbabwe series.

Fernando and Vandersay were part of Sri Lanka's squad for the Zimbabwe series. While Fernando didn't get an opportunity to feature in a single game, Vandersay was quite influential in the only game he played during the series and claimed figures of 2/47.

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The rest of the squad features regular faces with Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka and Janith Liyanage forming a strong batting line-up.

Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana will be the names to look after the spin department. Meanwhile, the pace unit will consists of bowlers like Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka and Pramod Madushan.

Sri Lanka ODI squad: Kusal Mendis (capt.), Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Sahan Arachchige, Shevon Daniel, Janith Liyanage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Akila Dananjaya, Wanindu Hasaranga.

(With ANI Inputs)