Due to illness, two senior members of the Sri Lankan cricket team, including captain Charith Asalanka, who is presently in Pakistan for a T20 tri-series, will be returning home, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced on Monday.
According to an announcement from SLC, fast bowler Asitha Fernando was replaced by Pavan Rathnayake, while Dasun Shanaka was named captain for the tri-series, which also included the hosts and Zimbabwe.
“Two Players Returning Home: Captain Charith Asalanka and fast bowler Asitha Fernando, both suffering from illness, will return home. The two players will not take part in the upcoming tri-series featuring Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe,” wrote SLC on ‘X’.
The nature of illness was not further described by the board. The two were summoned back, according to SLC, so they could get the necessary medical attention before the busy season.
“This precautionary decision ensures they receive proper care and sufficient time to recover ahead of future assignments.
“Dasun Shanaka to captain with Asalanka unavailable. Pavan Rathnayake has been added to the T20I squad as a replacement,” it said.
Following a recent deadly suicide bombing in Islamabad, a number of Sri Lankan players wanted to return home due to security concerns. However, Mohsin Naqvi, the head of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), guaranteed them of impenetrable protection, so the visitors chose to stay.
The second ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the three-match series was supposed to take place in Rawalpindi on November 13, but it was rescheduled for November 14. The third match was rescheduled for November 15–16 at the same venue.
In addition to designating Rawalpindi the only venue for the competition because of security concerns, the PCB rescheduled the opening T20I tri-series match between Pakistan and Zimbabwe from November 17 to November 18. Additionally, the second match of the seven-match rubber was moved to November 20, one day later.
Prior to the rescheduling, the tri-series event was scheduled to take place in Lahore for five games, including the final on November 29. However, the three boards decided to organize the games solely in Rawalpindi.
In response to Army Chief Asim Munir’s intervention following a series of bomb explosions that rocked Islamabad, killing 12 and injured numerous more, the government also handed over the security of the Sri Lankan team to the Pakistani military.
