Newly appointed Sri Lanka Chief Selector Pramodya Wickramasinghe officially confirmed on Friday (19th December) that Dasun Shanaka be the captain of the Sri Lanka national team for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2026.
Addressing a media briefing in Colombo, Wickramasinghe stated that Shanaka has been entrusted with the leadership role for the global showpiece, which will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India. The decision underlines the selectors’ confidence in Shanaka’s leadership as Sri Lanka prepares for a crucial phase in its T20I journey.
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Prior to the World Cup, Shanaka will also lead the island nation in upcoming T20I series against Pakistan and England. These assignments are expected to play a key role in fine-tuning the squad ahead of the marquee tournament.
During the briefing, Wickramasinghe further revealed that a 25-member preliminary squad has been named for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The extended squad will allow the team management to assess player form, fitness and combinations in the lead-up to the tournament, with the final squad to be selected closer to the event.
Sri Lanka Preliminary Squad
- 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
- Maheesh Theekshana
- Dunith Wellalage
- Dushan Hemantha
- Traveen Mathew
- Vijayakanth Viyaskanth
- Dushmantha Chameera
- Nuwan Thushara
- Matheesha Pathirana
- Eshan Malinga
- Pramod Madushan
- Dilshan Madushanka
- Milan Rathnayake
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