Asalanka dropped as Sri Lanka announce Pakistan tri-series squad

Charith Asalanka, the former captain of Sri Lanka, has been dropped from the upcoming ODI tri-series in Pakistan, which also features England. Following scores of 1, 11, and 7 during the one-day leg of the most recent tour of England, Asalanka, whose average in 88 ODIs is 40.55, has been dropped.

Recalls have been granted to batter Avishka Fernando and all-rounder Sahan Arachchige. Asalanka and Wanindu Hasaranga are in place of Asalanka, who injured his hamstring while playing for England. The rest of the team is the same as it was when England lost the ODI series 2-1.

Asalanka was left out of Sri Lanka's T20I team for the three-match series against Pakistan before the tri-series. Asalanka was also vice-captain for the England tour and took over for the T20Is when regular captain Kusal Mendis couldn't recover from a hamstring injury in time.

Meanwhile, Fernando has been called up because of his strong domestic form, which included scoring 447 runs in seven innings and averaging 63.85 runs per innings in the Major Clubs Limited Over Tournament in his home country.

Pathum Nissanka and Dushmantha Chameera are also on the team, but both are still struggling with their fitness. Nissanka, who has been ruled out of the T20Is, has been confirmed by Sri Lanka Cricket to travel with the team only if deemed "medically fit." In contrast, Chameera was selected for the T20I squad on a conditional basis pending fitness clearance.

The first match of the tri-series is scheduled for October 18 in Rawalpindi between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Each team plays one round in Rawalpindi before moving on to Lahore for the second round before the final on October 31.