Sri Lanka have made a surprising selection call. Is Avishka the right choice?
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Sri Lanka Drop Asalanka
Would you drop your team’s former captain before a big tournament? Sri Lanka appear to have done just that, naming a 16-man ODI squad for the tri-series in Pakistan that leaves Charith Asalanka out.
A player not in the team for over a year is set to return, but is it a gamble? Let’s explore the reasons behind the decision.
Quick facts
- Sri Lanka will take part in a tri-series against Pakistan and England.
- The matches start on October 18 in Rawalpindi.
- Avishka Fernando is set to make his first appearance since February 2025.
- Charith Asalanka is out of the ODI and T20 squads.
- Sahan Arachchige is in as a replacement for the injured Wanindu Hasaranga.
- There is no vice-captain.
Avishka Is Back Because of Runs
Avishka earned his recall with the bat, scoring 447 runs at an average of 63.85 in the Major Clubs Limited Over Tournament.
The 25-year-old is also a useful power hitter, a position where the top order in Sri Lanka is well covered.
In the same tournament, Pathum Nissanka has scored 294 runs, Kamil Mishara has scored 209, and captain Kusal Mendis has scored 330 runs. Nissanka’s spot in the top order depends on his fitness, so Avishka’s power hitting could come into play.
The Big Shock: Asalanka Is Out
This is the big shock of the selection announcement. Charith Asalanka is a former captain, with 88 ODIs to his name, averaging 40.55 with a strike rate of 90.11.
He has struggled in the last tour to England, and the Sri Lanka team went 3-0 in the ODI series against England. It appears that Asalanka, much like his teammates, has suffered from the tour, and he is out of both the ODI and T20 squads.
Arachchige Steps Into a Big Gap
The other surprise came from the injury to all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga. Sahan Arachchige has filled in, and he has a contrasting record when compared to Hasaranga:
- In List A (domestic one-day) cricket, his strike rate is below 75. That is slow for a one-day specialist.
- In the LPL 2026, his strike rate was a staggering 147.23. That is explosive.
So which version of Sahan Arachchige will we see from Sri Lanka?
The Why? And The What Now?
Sri Lanka have gone with the current form rather than the bigger names. If this works, it will send a message to Sri Lanka’s cricket players that a good score in domestic limited-over tournaments will earn them a spot in the national side.
If it fails, it will raise questions as to why a more experienced batsman was not picked. Also, there is no vice-captain. The middle order lacks the experience of a senior captain guiding the young players, and they will have to be responsible in the most important matches of their careers.
A Big Test in Pakistan
Sri Lanka need to recover after their 3-0 loss in England, and Pakistan and England are two very difficult teams to face. The matches start in Rawalpindi, which should bring a noisy reception.
This will be a chance for Sri Lanka to show that they are ready to move on from the defeat in England, and it will also be a chance to show if Avishka and Arachchige are worth the gamble.
Final thoughts
Sri Lanka have taken a big gamble by recalling Avishka and leaving out Charith Asalanka. It is a bold risk, and it could either pay off or backfire spectacularly.
What do you think the consequences will be of dropping Charith Asalanka from the squad? Should Sri Lanka have kept him in the squad or dropped him?
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