Sri Lanka Cricket has handed former skipper Dasun Shanaka a new lifeline, appointing him as vice-captain of the T20 team ahead of the Pakistan tour, marking his return to a leadership role after months in the shadows.
In a bold decision by the Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee, Dasun Shanaka has been named vice-captain of the national T20 squad, reintroducing a deputy leadership role that has not existed before in the format. Shanaka, who once led the national side through several challenging series, now finds himself back in the leadership setup, supporting captain Charith Asalanka.
The upcoming tour of Pakistan will be crucial for both players and management as Sri Lanka aims to rebuild consistency ahead of next year’s ICC T20 World Cup. The ODI leg of the tour begins on November 11 at the Rawalpindi Stadium, featuring a three-match series that will test Sri Lanka’s middle order and bowling balance.
Following the ODIs, the T20 Tri-Series will run from November 17 to 29 in Rawalpindi and Lahore, featuring Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe. This series is seen as a vital opportunity for Shanaka to prove his tactical value and experience as Sri Lanka looks to finalize its core team structure.
A 16-man squad has already been finalized and submitted to the Sports Minister for approval, signaling the start of a fresh chapter for Sri Lankan cricket and perhaps a personal redemption arc for Dasun Shanaka.
