Asia Cup 2022 LIVE: Sri Lanka squad Asia Cup: After 12 days of delay, Sri Lanka has finally announced the squad for Asia Cup 2022. Dashun Shanaka will lead while Bhanuka Rajapaksha and Dinesh Chandimal both have found places. Baby Malinga Matheesha Pathirana has also been named in the 20-man squad. The delay was caused by Sri Lanka’s political muddle. Even though SLC sent the squad to the Lankan sports ministry for approval, the government refused to approve it, saying it was sent late. But the wait is finally over. Follow Asia Cup 2022 Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
The last date to submit the squad was back on August 8. However, SLC asked for an extension due to their political crisis.
Sri Lanka Squad Asia Cup: Dasun Shanaka (Capt), Dhanushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Charith Asalanka (VC), Bhanuka Rajapaksha (WK), Ashen Bandara, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanidu Hasaranga, Mahesh Theekshana, Jeffery Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrenna, Dushmantha Chameera, Chamika Karunaratne, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Dinesh Chandhimal (WK), Nuwanindu Fernando
(Binura Fernando and Kasum Rajitha both have been selected but will not tour owing to injury)
Asia Cup 2022 LIVE: Sri Lanka FINALLY announce squad 7 Days before Asia Cup start, Dasun Shanaka to lead, Chandimal back, Follow LIVE Updates
Asia Cup 2022 LIVE: What took SLC so long to announce the squad?
- Sri Lanka was the original host of the Asia Cup Cricket T20.
- But ACC moved the tournament out to the UAE due to Sri Lanka’s political crisis.
- The official broadcaster Star Sports requested the ACC to shift the venue out as the country is facing an acute fuel shortage.
- It would have resulted in logistical hassles.
- Following ACC’s decision to shift the tournament to UAE, SLC signed a memorandum of understanding with UAE Cricket. It was done to carry out the logistical arrangements jointly.
- But it miffed the Sri Lankan government. They considered it a national embarrassment especially when Sri Lanka hosted Australia and Pakistan successfully.
- Lankan govt alleged that SLC did not do enough to retain the hosting rights and caved in to ACC and Star Sports.
- The government only approved the Sri Lankan team for Asia Cup on Friday.
- The government has also finally allowed the SLC team to travel to the UAE.
- The SLC officials on Friday handed the Asia Cup 2022 trophy to UAE Minister of Tolerance Sheikh Al Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan.
Asia Cup 2022 LIVE: Sri Lanka FINALLY announce squad 7 Days before Asia Cup start, Dasun Shanaka to lead, Chandimal back, Follow LIVE Updates
The Sri Lankan government isn’t happy with SLC. Political parties publicly criticised SLC for giving away the Asia Cup hosting rights. They felt the SLC did not do enough to retain the tournament.
As per a Sunday Times Sri Lanka report, an opposition MP questioned the decision to shift Asia Cup 2022 out of Sri Lanka. Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe and Chairman of the National Sports Council Arjuna Ranatunga backed the position. They said SLC did not “lobby enough” to keep the tournament in the island nation. SLC Secretary Mohan de Silva later slammed the questions and said it was a wild allegation, aimed at maligning SLC’s image.
“These are wild allegations to bring discredit to the institution with ulterior motives. It is very unfortunate to see responsible people who represent the masses of our country talking without verifying facts and misleading the general public,” SLC Secretary Mohan de Silva was quoted by Sunday Times.
Asia Cup 2022 LIVE: Sri Lanka FINALLY announce squad 7 Days before Asia Cup start, Dasun Shanaka to lead, Chandimal back, Follow LIVE Updates
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