Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced a 25-member preliminary squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, while also making a major leadership change. Charith Asalanka has been relieved of the T20I captaincy, with former skipper Dasun Shanaka appointed to lead the team for the duration of the global tournament.
The leadership switch comes after Sri Lanka’s recent tour of Pakistan, where Asalanka captained the team during a tri-series before returning home midway due to illness. Shanaka subsequently
stepped in as stand-in captain. Although Sri Lanka managed to qualify for the final, they were comprehensively beaten by Pakistan. The tour itself was disrupted by security concerns following a suicide bombing in Islamabad, leading to changes in venues and match schedules.
Chief selector Pramodya Wickramasinghe confirmed that the decision to appoint Shanaka was taken after discussions with head coach Sanath Jayasuriya and high-performance head Jerome Jayaratne. He also clarified that the selection panel chose to retain the same list of 25 players prepared by the previous committee.
"We decided that Dasun Shanaka should be captain until the end of the World Cup, after talking to head coach Sanath Jayasuriya as well. The previous committee had chosen a list of 25 players. We spoke to Jerome Jayaratne, the head of high performance, as well as Sanath Jayasuriya. We decided to announce the same 25 as a preliminary squad for the World Cup," Sri Lanka Cricket chief selector Upul Tharanga Wickramasinghe said in a statement.
We are looking at Dasun as an all-rounder: Upul Tharanga
Explaining the decision, Wickramasinghe stated that Shanaka’s experience, having played in three T20 World Cups, played a significant role in his appointment. While Shanaka will captain the squad, the selectors are viewing him primarily as an all-rounder, with his exact role to be defined in consultation with the coaching staff.
"We are looking at Dasun as an all-rounder. We'll have to talk to Sanath Jayasuriya and work out what is required of him," Wickramasinghe added.
Asalanka, who has led Sri Lanka since mid-2024, remains part of the squad despite being removed as captain. His batting returns in T20Is this year, including 156 runs at a strike rate of 122 from 12 innings, were cited as a crucial factor behind the decision. The selectors believe relieving him of leadership responsibilities could help him get back to form ahead of the important home series against Pakistan and England. One of the notable developments in the preliminary squad is the return of wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella. He last played a T20I for Sri Lanka in June 2021 and has been recalled.
Sri Lanka's preliminary World Cup squad
Dasun Shanaka (c), Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Niroshan Dickwella, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Milan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Traveen Mathew
