Sri Lanka call back Malinga, Mathews for World T20

All three players, back from injuries,  were included in the identical 15-man squads named for both tournaments. Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, who had missed Sri Lanka’s threematch T20 series in India, also made a comeback.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella is also in the squad, while Lahiru Thirimanne and Danushka Gunathilaka missed out. Legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay, offspinning allrounder Shehan Jayasuriya, and seam-bowling allrounder Dasun Shanaka find places in the squads, but Seekkuge Prasanna and Kasun Rajitha - who played in the recent T20 series in India - have been overlooked. 

The spin combination features Herath, Sachithra Senanayake and Vandersay while Milinda Siriwardana’s left-arm spin and Jayasuriya’s off-spin is also available. The seam attack is spearheaded by captain Malinga; Kulasekara, Dushmantha Chameera and Thisara Perera are in tow. 

Thirimanne had played for Sri Lanka in the World T20 campaign, even top-scoring in the semifinal against West Indies. Sri Lanka begin their Asia Cup defence in Mirpur on February 25, and their World T20 campaign starts in Kolkata, on March 17.

Lasith Malinga (capt), Angelo Mathews (vice-capt), Dinesh Chandimal, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Niroshan Dickwella, Shehan Jayasuriya, Milinda Siriwardana, Dasun Shanaka, Chamara Kapugedera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dushmantha Chameera, Thisara Perera, Sachithra Senanayake, Rangana Herath, Jeffrey Vandersay