The 15-member national cricket squad has left for Zimbabwe for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier this morning.

The Dasun-Shanaka led team left for the Bandaranaike International Airport after participating in religious observances at the SLC headquarters.

The 15-member squad led by Shanaka for the Cricket World Cup Qualifier was only announced yesterday.

The squad was approved by Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Roshan Ranasinghe.

Kusal Mendis has been named the Vice-Captain of the side in addition to being the main wicket-keeper in the side.

Sri Lanka, who won the ODI World Cup in 1996, has been on the decline since the 2015 World Cup.

The Lankans will be playing in a qualifying tournament for the ODI World Cup for the first time since the 1970s.

The 10-team tournament hosted in Zimbabwe will be worked-off from the 18th of June to the 9 of July.

Only two teams from the tournament will qualify for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India.

Sri Lanka has been grouped with the United Arab Emirates, Ireland, Scotland and Oman in the opening round of the qualifiers.

Sri Lanka will take on the UAE in the first match in Bulawayo on the 19th of June.

Accordingly, the following squad was approved by Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Roshan Ranasinghe:

1) Dasun Shanaka – Captain
2) Kusal Mendis – (wk) Vice-Captain
3) Dimuth Karunaratne
4) Pathum Nissanka
5) Charith Asalanka
6) Dhananjaya de Silva
7) Sadeera Samarawickrama ( Wk)
8) Wanindu Hasaranga
9) Chamika Karunaratne
10) Dushmantha Chameera
11) Kasun Rajitha
12) Lahiru Kumara
13) Maheesh Theekshana
14) Matheesha Pathirana
15) Dushan Hemantha

The selection committee of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has selected a 15-member squad to compete in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier tournament.

The team will leave for Zimbabwe on June 10, 2023.

Accordingly, the following squad was approved by Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Roshan Ranasinghe:

1) Dasun Shanaka – Captain
2) Kusal Mendis – (wk) Vice-Captain
3) Dimuth Karunaratne
4) Pathum Nissanka
5) Charith Asalanka
6) Dhananjaya de Silva
7) Sadeera Samarawickrama ( Wk)
8) Wanindu Hasaranga
9) Chamika Karunaratne
10) Dushmantha Chameera
11) Kasun Rajitha
12) Lahiru Kumara
13) Maheesh Theekshana
14) Matheesha Pathirana
15) Dushan Hemantha

Sri Lanka comprehensively defeated Afghanistan by 9 wickets to win the third and final One-Day International at the Sooriyawewa International Stadium in Hambantota to seal the series 2-1.

Chasing a paltry target of 117, the Lankans reached the target in 16 overs losing the wicket of Pathum Nissanka.

Opener Dimuth Karunaratne top scored with an unbeaten 45-ball 56 while Nissanka hit 51 off 34 deliveries.

The pair put on 84 runs for the opening wicket.

Earlier after opting to bat first, Afghanistan was bundled out for 116.

Former skipper Mohammad Nabi top scored for the Afghans with a run-a-ball 23.