A sudden wave of illness has forced Sri Lanka’s captain Charith Asalanka and fast bowler Asitha Fernando to abandon the Pakistan tour mid-series, triggering a dramatic leadership reshuffle and raising fresh questions about security and squad stability.
Sri Lanka Cricket announced that two senior players, including skipper Charith Asalanka, will return home immediately from Pakistan during the ongoing T20 tri-series. The board confirmed that both Asalanka and fast bowler Asitha Fernando are suffering from illness and will not take part in the remaining matches involving Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe. The nature of their illness has not been revealed, but the board noted that returning home was necessary to receive proper medical treatment ahead of a demanding international calendar.
With Asalanka unavailable, Dasun Shanaka has been appointed captain for the tri-series. SLC stated that Pavan Rathnayake has replaced Asitha Fernando in the squad. In a statement shared on X, SLC wrote, “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 Zimbabwe.”
The board added that this “precautionary decision ensures they receive proper care and sufficient time to recover ahead of future assignments,” while confirming that Shanaka will lead the side. Rathnayake joins the squad to strengthen the bowling options in Fernando’s absence.
The illness setback comes at a tense moment for the team. Just days earlier, several Sri Lankan players had expressed a desire to return home due to security concerns following a deadly suicide attack in Islamabad. Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi personally assured Sri Lanka of watertight security arrangements, after which the team agreed to remain in the country.
Heightened security concerns forced major changes to the schedule. Pakistan and Sri Lanka’s second ODI in Rawalpindi, originally planned for November 13, was postponed to November 14. The third match was moved from November 15 to 16. The PCB also shifted the opening match of the tri-series between Pakistan and Zimbabwe from November 17 to 18.
In a significant move, Rawalpindi was made the exclusive venue for the entire tournament. Lahore, which was originally slated to host five matches including the final on November 29, was removed from the schedule after discussions among the three boards.
The Pakistan government also deployed military protection for the Sri Lankan team after the Islamabad bombing killed 12 people and injured dozens. Despite the heavy security presence, the tour continues under anxiety and uncertainty.
