Sri Lankan key leg spinner Wanindu Hasaranga will most probably miss the first two ODI' s against Afghanistan and might play in the third and final ODI game.
Hasaranga who came from IPL (played for Royal Challengers Bangalore-RCB) and back home due to injury (heel injury) has to stay with his recovery period to come back to the game.
According to a reliable source, Wanindu, the Sri Lankan main weapon of the bowling department is not fit to play but he is waiting to get green light from the medical staff. Most probably he will fit to play for the third ODI on June 7. Due to his unavailability Dushan Hemantha will get chance to replace Hasaranga' s position.
In fact Hasaranga couldn't perform well during the recent ODI including last New Zealand series but he was the most successful and highest wicket taker at the last Asia Cup held in UAE.
Hasaranga is a key member of the Sri Lanka white ball team and he was the Sri Lanka T -20 team vice captain. Sri Lanka is expected to play World Cup qualifying tournament which will commence from June 18 in Zimbabwe. Due to this injury Hasaranga missed recent matches. He played really well during the last National Super League ( NSL) tournament in Sri Lanka while his commitment is always high to play the game.
Dushan Hemantha the new leg spinner who performed well at the recent domestic tournament was the Player of the Series having highest wickets during the Sri Lanka A series against England Lions. Later he was added to Sri Lanka Test squad against Ireland but he was on the bench in that series and now have the chance to perform at ODI format before the Zimbabwe tour.
Meanwhile two players Maheesh Theekshana, the mystery spinner and right arm paceman Matheesha Pathirana came back home after successful IPL and both were plan to reach Hambantota to join Sri Lanka ODI squad to play Afghanistan series. The 21-year-old Pathirana was the most successful bowler claiming two crucial wickets in the last over of the innings guided Chennai Super Kings (CSK) team to win the IPL title after thrilling final. Pathirana was highly praised by CSK skipper and former Indian skipper M.S Dhoni and pointed out how to protect this young Matheesha to get his maximum service to Sri Lanka.
The former Sri Lanka legend fast bowler Chaminda Vaas said Pathirana is a good asset for Sri Lanka team and we should protect this type of a bowler. The selectors are happy with Pathirana' s performance and confident of using for ODI. He had chance to play New Zealand white ball series but couldn't play as he had Covid 19.
Meanwhile both Sri Lanka and Afghanistan ODI squads are having their final training sessions at Hambantota Mahinda Rajapaksa International cricket stadium and will select the final 11 today evening. According to the Sri Lanka team news Dimuth Karunaratne will open the innings with Pathum Nissanka while Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha and Matheesha Pathirana are tipped to play first ODI with two spinners Maheesh Theekshana and Dushan Hemantha. If Hemantha will get chance that could be his debut ODI game. The selectors already named 16 member squad including Hasaranga for first two ODI' s but Hasaranga is still in Colombo waiting for green light from medical staff.
Meanwhile South Africa' A 'team was scheduled to reach the island to play Sri Lanka A series yesterday which included three ODI' s and two four day games from June 4 at Pallekele and after three ODI' s both teams will be played two four day games in Colombo. Kamindu Mendis who was down with Dengue fever is back but will miss the Sri Lanka A ODI' s. Nipun Dhananjaya will lead the Sri Lanka 'A' team for South Africa A series and Mendis will lead the two four day games. The selectors are hope to name ODI squad for the Zimbabwe tour after first Afghan ODI on June 4.
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