Two key Sri Lanka players return home ahead of T20I tri-series

Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka and fast bowler Asitha Fernando will return home due to illness, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed on Monday.

The board described the move as a precautionary measure to ensure the players receive proper medical care and sufficient recovery time ahead of future assignments.

“Captain Charith Asalanka and fast bowler Asitha Fernando, both suffering from illness, will return home," the SLC said in a statement posted on X. They will not take part in the upcoming tri-series featuring Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe, it added.

Sri Lanka Tour of Pakistan 2025 #PAKvSL
▫️ Two Players Returning Home
Captain Charith Asalanka and fast bowler Asitha Fernando, both suffering from illness, will return home.
The two players will not take part in the upcoming tri-series featuring Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and… pic.twitter.com/71Z3RVQPQW

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) November 17, 2025

In Asalanka’s absence, experienced all-rounder Dasun Shanaka will lead the Sri Lankan side. The squad has also been bolstered by the addition of uncapped top-order batter Pavan Rathnayake as a replacement.

The T20I tri-series begins on Tuesday with hosts Pakistan facing Zimbabwe at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Sri Lanka will start their campaign on Thursday against Zimbabwe, followed by a match against Pakistan on November 22.

Each team will play four matches in the league stage, with the top two sides advancing to the final, scheduled for November 29 at the same venue.