Sri Lanka announces squad for Afghanistan ODIs; Bhanuka Rajapaksa opts for a break

Left-handed batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa has opted out from the Afghanistan ODIs, requesting for a break after Sri Lanka Cricket (SL) announced a 16-player squad on Thursday. According to reports, SLC have accepted his request.

Rajapaksa said he had decided to sit out of the upcoming series to “recover and refresh both physically and mentally”.

“Decided to withdraw from the ODI squad in hope to recover and refresh both physically and mentally. Have been playing with a few niggles that have begun to hamper me lately. Added to that, repeatedly being months away from home has definitely been a strain mentally,” tweeted Rajapaksa.

“Thank you @OfficialSLC for being supportive and understanding of this decision. All the best to the rest of the team and our captain @dasunshanaka1, I’m sure you will make us all proud.”

Thank you @OfficialSLC for being supportive and understanding of this decision. All the best to the rest of the team and our captain @dasunshanaka1, I'm sure you will make us all proud. 🇱🇰🦁❤️

— Bhanuka Rajapaksa (@BhanukaRajapak3) November 24, 2022

Dasun Shanaka has been retained as Sri Lanka’s limited-overs captain despite his poor show during the recently-concluded T20 World Cup in Australia.

The Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan series will start on Friday (November 25) and all three ODIs will be played at Kandy’s Pallekelle International Stadium with crucial ICC Cricket World Cup Super League points up for the grabs.

Sri Lanka ODI squad:

Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Dananjaya Lakshan, Kasun Rajitha, Maheesh Theekshana, Pramod Madushan, Asitha Fernando, Ashen Bandara, Lahiru Kumara.

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November 25, 2022 at 09:27AM