Sri Lanka has called up 23-year-old Pavan Rathnayake to the T20 squad as cover for captain Charith Asalanka, who is down with the flu ahead of the tri-series involving Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe.
Rathnayake, who impressed on his ODI debut on Monday with a fighting 32 while batting with the tail, will now remain in Pakistan and will not return home as he joins the T20 group. His calm and composed innings under pressure have earned him this quick elevation.
Sri Lanka begins their tri-series campaign against Zimbabwe on Thursday. If Asalanka does not recover in time, vice-captain Dasun Shanaka is expected to lead the side. (Newswire)