Mathews asked to step down; Chandimal appointed ODI captain

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The national selectors have appointed Dinesh Chandimal as the Captain of the Sri Lanka ODI cricket team, replacing Angelo Mathews for the upcoming five-match ODI series against England which starts next month.

“Accordingly, they have requested Angelo Mathews to relinquish his duties as the National ODI & T20I captain, with immediate effect.” An SLC release stated.

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Following a disastrous Asia Cup campaign, where Sri Lanka were knocked out in the first round after suffering two heavy defeats against Bangladesh and Afghanistan, the selectors have come to this decision.

Mathews was reappointed as Sri Lanka’s limited-over skipper earlier this year, less than six months after he stepped down, following an ODI series defeat against Zimbabwe. However, less than two weeks since taking over, an injury had forced him out of the team leaving Chandimal the duties of leading the side in a tri-series in Bangladesh.

Read More: From Predator to Prey: Sri Lanka’s disastrous Asia Cup campaign

Since captaining his first ODI in 2012, Mathews has won only 49 games as captain in 106 matches and losing on 51 occasions.

Sri Lanka’s regular Test skipper, Chandimal has only captained seven ODI internationals, of which five games have been won.