Shining in domestic cricket, Vishen Halambage has earned his maiden call-up to the Sri Lankan national team. The promising young top-order batter has been included in the T20 squad for the upcoming Zimbabwe tour.
On Thursday, Sri Lanka announced a 17-member squad for the three-match series, making five changes from the side that played the last series against Bangladesh.
Halambage, 20, played a pivotal role in leading his team to the final of the Major Club T20 Tournament held in May-June. In nine innings, he amassed 356 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 179.79 and an average of 39.55 — no other batter managed even 250 runs in the tournament.
The right-hander scored five half-centuries, two of which came in the semi-final and final. However, his team, Panadura Sports Club, fell short in the title decider against Colombo Cricket Club.
Despite his stellar domestic performances, Halambage was not selected for the Bangladesh series. But in the recently concluded three-team domestic T20 tournament organized ahead of the Asia Cup and Zimbabwe tour, he impressed once again and finally secured his spot in the national side.
So far, Halambage has played 20 recognized T20 matches, scoring 539 runs with five fifties, maintaining a strike rate of 163.33 and an average of 26.95.
The squad also sees the return of Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamil Mishara, Dushan Hemantha, and Dushmantha Chameera, while Avishka Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Ishan Malinga miss out.
Star all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out due to a right hamstring injury sustained during the ODI series against Bangladesh. He hasn’t recovered in time and will miss the Zimbabwe tour.
Wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella can count himself unlucky after scoring 134 runs in five innings, including two fifties at a 161.44 strike rate, in the recent domestic tournament. But Sri Lanka’s opening slots remain firmly held by Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis.
With Hasaranga absent, Dushan Hemantha returns to strengthen the spin department alongside Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage. Skipper Charith Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis can also bowl if needed.
For the pace attack, Sri Lanka has included Matheesa Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Chameera, and Binura Fernando, with Dasun Shanaka and Chamika Karunaratne providing all-round options.
The three-match T20I series between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe will be played on September 3, 6, and 7 in Harare, preceded by two ODIs on August 29 and 31 at the same venue.
Sri Lanka T20 Squad
Charith Asalanka (C), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Vishen Halambage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Matheesa Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando.
