Sri Lanka’s Test captain Dinesh Chandimal will take no part in his country’s Asia Cup campaign after he failed to heal sufficiently from a finger injury, Sri Lanka Cricket announced on Monday, September 10.
The 28-year-old batsman injured his finger during the SLC T20 League 2018, and “will need more recovery time”, SLC said in a statement.
He will be replaced by wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella, who was already named in the squad as a reserve player.
Chadimal last played a one-day international was earlier this year in January. After he was found guilty of changing the condition of the ball during the St. Lucia Test in June, he was handed a six-match ban.
He subsequently missed the two Tests and four ODIs against South Africa. He was however recalled for the one-off Twenty20 International after serving the suspension and was expected to be a part of the upcoming tournament.
Sri Lanka will begin their Asia Cup campaign with a match against Bangladesh on September 15, before taking on Afghanistan on September 17.
Sri Lanka squad: Angelo Mathews (c), Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Upul Tharanga, Niroshan Dickwella, Danushka Gunathilaka, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Dhanajaya de Silva, Akila Dananjaya, Dilruwan Perera, Amila Aponso, Kasun Rajitha, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera and Lasith Malinga.
