Sri Lanka to rue the services of star spinner in Zimbabwe ODIs

Originally posted on Guerilla Cricket | By Aryan Surana | Last updated Aug 22, 2025 2:05 AM ET

Wanindu Hasaranaga has not been picked in the Charith Asalanka-led 16-member Sri Lanka squad for the two-match ODI series in Zimbabwe. The experienced leg-break, who suffered a hamstring injury during the T20I series against Bangladesh in July, sat out the ODIs versus Bangladesh and has now been sidelined for the 50-overs games against Zimbabwe as well.

The squad announcement marks the return of 25-year-old top-order batter Nuwanidu Fernando, who last played an ODI in early 2024 against New Zealand. He scored 122 runs, including a match-winning 82, across two List A games against Australia A in Darwin last month, besides a first-class century on the same tour. In the recent SLC T20 League, a three-team invitational tournament orchestrated to help selectors nail down the squads ahead of the Asia Cup and this Zimbabwe tour, Nuwanidu composed two half-centuries in four innings.

Young top-order batter Pavan Rathnayake also finds a place, receiving his maiden call-up on the back of strong domestic performances. He, too, cracked a ton in the second first-class fixture against Australia A, while representing Colombo Cricket Club in the Major Clubs Limited Overs Tournament, the soon-to-be 23-year-old hit 63 in the semi-final, and a career-best 158* in the final.

Sri Lanka ODI squad: Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Milan Rathnayake, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka.

Among those who were in the squad for the Bangladesh series but miss out this time around are Avishka Fernando and Eshan Malinga. The remainder of the core group has been retained, with Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, and Nishan Madushka forming the batting nucleus.

The bowling department is led by the pace trivandrum of Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka and Asitha Fernando, and supported by spin options in Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage and Jeffrey Vandersay.

The two ODIs will be played in Harare on August 29 and August 31. This will be followed by a three-match T20I series.

This article first appeared on Guerilla Cricket and was syndicated with permission.

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