Asia Cup 2018: Malinga returns to Sri Lanka squad; chandimal misses out

Sri Lanka will play Asia Cup 2018 opener against Bangladesh in Group B encounter on September 15 at 5:00 pm (IST)

Lasith Malinga has been included in the Sri Lanka squad for Asia Cup 2018 in United Arab Emirates. Sri Lanka's cricket selectors recalled fast bowler Lasith Malinga after a year in limbo and included him in a 16-member squad. However, Dinesh Chandimal — Sri Lanka Test captain — has withdrawn from the 6-member squad for Asia Cup on Monday due to an finger injury during a recent domestic tournament. Wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella will replace Dinesh Chandimal in the Sri Lanka squad.

Meanwhile, the injury-prone 35-year-old had been largely ignored since his last ODI appearance in September 2017 against India in Colombo when he took just one wicket for 35 runs and eventually Sri Lanka lost the match by six wickets.  However, official sources said he had impressed selectors during an ongoing domestic T20 series and has now been included in the one-day squad for the Asia Cup tournament opening in the United Arab Emirates in two weeks.

 
Malinga has taken 301 ODI wickets giving away 8,705 runs since his ODI debut in July 2004. In the shortest form of the game, he has taken 90 wickets conceding 1,780 runs.
 

Sri Lanka squad

Player name	Batsman/ Bowler/All-rounder
Angelo Mathews(c)	All-rounder
Kusal Perera	Wicket-Keeper
Kusal Mendis	Batsman
Upul Tharanga	Batsman
Danushka Gunathilaka	All-rounder
Thisara Perera	All-rounder
Basun Shanaka	All-rounder
Dhananjaya de Silva	All-rounder
Ákila Dananjaya	Bowler
Dilruwan Perera	Bowler
Amila Aponso	Bowler
Kasun Rajitha	Bowler
Suranga Lakmal	Bowler
Dushmantha Chameers	Bowler
Lasith Malinga	Bowler
Niroshan Dickwella	Wicket-Keeper