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)

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Cricketer Pavan Rathnayake has represented the Sri Lanka Emerging Team against Bangladesh, despite the demise of his father.

Pavan Rathnayake’s father is reported to have passed away prior to the Sri Lankan Emerging Team commencing the third and final match of the Bangladesh Emerging Team tour of Sri Lanka in Dambulla yesterday. 

Despite his father’s demise, the cricketer chose to play for Sri Lanka, putting on a spectacular performance to contribute 85 runs in 56 balls. 

Following the Sri Lanka Emerging team’s 05 wicket victory sealing the ODI series 2-1, the cricketer arrived at his residence in Piliyandala to pay his last respects to his late father. 

Commenting on his decision to play for Sri Lanka, Pavan Rathnayake said his father was a sportsman himself and that his father’s wish was to see him represent Sri Lanka in cricket which he was able to do through the Bangladesh Emerging Team tour of Sri Lanka.

Pavan Rathnayake will next represent the Sri Lanka Emerging Team in the 02-match test series against Bangladesh commencing in Dambulla on Wednesday (Oct 25).

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