Sri Lanka Cricket has doubled down on stability, confirming Dasun Shanaka as T20 captain through the 2026 World Cup as selectors back continuity over experimentation.
Sri Lanka Cricket has officially confirmed that Dasun Shanaka will continue to lead the national T20 side until the ICC Men’s Twenty20 World Cup in 2026, reinforcing a long term leadership plan at a critical phase of the team’s evolution.
The decision was announced today (19) by newly appointed Selection Committee Chairman Pramodya Wickremesinghe during a media briefing at Sri Lanka Cricket headquarters, following the formal appointment of the new selection committee.
Wickremesinghe explained that the previous selection committee had already finalized a 25 member squad as part of Sri Lanka’s extended T20 World Cup preparation program. After reviewing the process, the new committee chose not to alter either the squad composition or the leadership structure.
“Dasun Shanaka will continue as captain as we move forward with the existing plans,” Wickremesinghe said, stressing that consistency, team balance and player confidence were central to the decision.
Under this strategy, Shanaka will lead Sri Lanka in the upcoming T20 series against Pakistan and England, which selectors view as key testing grounds ahead of major global tournaments. Sri Lanka Cricket believes sustained leadership will strengthen team cohesion, tactical clarity and long term performance stability.
Sri Lanka T20 Squad (25 Members):
Dasun Shanaka (Captain)
Pathum Nissanka
Kusal Mendis
Kusal Janith
Dhananjaya de Silva
Niroshan Dickwella
Janith Liyanage
Charith Asalanka
Kamindu Mendis
Pawan Ratnayake
Sahan Arachchige
Wanindu Hasaranga
Dunith Wellalage
Milan Ratnayake
Nuwan Thushara
Eshan Malinga
Dushmantha Chameera
Pramod Madushan
Matheesha Pathirana
Dilshan Madushan
Mahish Theekshana
Dushan Hemantha
Vijayakant Vyaskanth
Travin Mathew
Kamil Mishara
Selectors believe this squad offers depth across batting, pace, spin and all round options, providing flexibility across conditions as Sri Lanka builds toward the 2026 T20 World Cup.
