Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has put an end to weeks of speculation by confirming Dasun Shanaka will continue as captain of the national T20I side, leading the team into the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 as well as the upcoming bilateral series against Pakistan and England.
The decision was announced on Thursday following the appointment of former fast bowler Pramodya Wickramasinghe as Sri Lanka’s new Chief Selector. Wickramasinghe addressed the media at SLC headquarters, outlining the direction of the revamped selection panel and reaffirming Shanaka’s leadership for the global event.
The newly formed selection committee — which includes Vinothen John, Indika de Saram, Rasanjali de Alwis (née Silva) and Tharanga Paranavitana — has also retained the previously announced 25-member preliminary squad for World Cup preparations. The final squad will be named closer to the start of the tournament.
Shanaka’s confirmation effectively ends rumours surrounding a possible leadership change, with former T20 captain Charith Asalanka at the centre of recent speculation. Asalanka’s dip in form in recent T20Is and his absence from Sri Lanka’s tour of Pakistan last month had fuelled talk of a new captaincy direction.
However, Shanaka, who stepped in as stand-in captain during the tri-series in Asalanka’s absence, has now been formally backed to lead Sri Lanka at the marquee tournament. With the T20 World Cup 2026 set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, continuity in leadership appears to be a key factor behind SLC’s decision.
The retained preliminary squad blends experience with emerging talent, as Sri Lanka begin shaping their campaign for a tournament they will partly host on home soil.
Sri Lanka preliminary squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
Dasun Shanaka (c), 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.
With the captaincy settled and preparations underway, Sri Lanka now turn their attention to fine-tuning combinations and form as the countdown to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 gathers pace.
