Sri Lanka will use the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan to assess two or three backup players in both batting and bowling ahead of finalising its squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Chief Selector Pramodya Wickramasinghe said.
Speaking to Daily FT, Wickramasinghe said the Pakistan series will play a key role in strengthening Sri Lanka’s reserve bench before the final 15-member World Cup squad is announced.
“During the T20I series against Pakistan we will be looking at two or three backup players in batting and bowling. Once we clear that, we will announce the final 15 players for the T20 World Cup. This squad will play in the three-match T20I series against England,” Wickramasinghe said.
He added that the selectors are keen on identifying players who can step in seamlessly if required during the tournament.
“To prepare a strong reserve bench for the T20I squad, we are trying out a few players during the Pakistan series. From this series we will get an idea whom we should pick as backups who can replace any player in the 11,” he said.
Meanwhile, the recall of Test captain Dhananjaya de Silva to the T20I setup has drawn attention, with the all-rounder having last featured in a T20I during the previous T20 World Cup in June 2024.
Wickramasinghe said the selectors are still evaluating de Silva’s role in the shortest format.
“We have brought Dhananjaya into the squad and we have been watching him closely at practice matches. We are still in the stages of discussions,” he said.
He noted that de Silva could provide a solution to Sri Lanka’s balance concerns if included in the playing XI.
“If we play Dhananjaya he will bat at the top and he will have to bowl his quota of four overs, which to a certain extent will solve our fifth bowler problem when we play a 7-4 combination. We are looking at that sort of combination,” Wickramasinghe added.
Sri Lanka are scheduled to face Pakistan in a T20I series before hosting England, with both series forming part of their final preparations for the T20 World Cup.
