Sri Lanka name Sahan Arachchige captain for Asian Games 2026 T20I squad
Synopsis
Sri Lanka have named a significantly reshuffled 15-member T20I squad — led by Sahan Arachchige — for the Asian Games 2026 in Japan. With heavyweights India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan also in the mix, and Sri Lanka's last podium finish dating back to their 2014 gold, the Aichi-Nagoya tournament is their best shot in 12 years at reclaiming Asian cricket glory.
Key Takeaways
Sahan Arachchige has been appointed captain of Sri Lanka's 15-member Asian Games 2026 T20I squad.
Niroshan Dickwella is retained as wicketkeeper; Chamika Karunaratne and Nuwan Thushara are among senior inclusions.
The squad departs for Japan on 24 September ; the tournament runs 24 September – 3 October at Kōrogi Sports Park, Nisshin .
Only Nuwan Thushara and Tharindu Ratnayake were also part of the England T20I squad Sri Lanka lost 3-0 .
Sri Lanka last won Asian Games cricket gold at Incheon in 2014 ; they returned without a medal from Hangzhou 2023 .
Medal rivals include India , Pakistan , Bangladesh , and Afghanistan .
Sri Lanka Cricket on Tuesday, 22 September 2026 named a 15-member men's T20I squad for the Asian Games 2026 in Japan, appointing Sahan Arachchige as captain and retaining Niroshan Dickwella as wicketkeeper. The squad is set to depart for Japan on 24 September, with the 10-team T20I tournament running from 24 September to 3 October at Kōrogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Aichi Prefecture.
Squad Composition and Key Names
The squad blends experience with fringe talent. Chamika Karunaratne and Nuwan Thushara are among the senior presences, while Ashen Bandara, Sohan de Livera, and Lasith Croospulle bolster the batting unit. Vijayakanth Viyaskanth provides a specialist leg-spin option in the bowling attack.
The squad differs markedly from the one that toured England for a three-match T20I series, which Sri Lanka lost 3-0, including an eight-wicket defeat at Old Trafford on 19 September. Only Nuwan Thushara and Tharindu Ratnayake feature in both squads. Notably, Binura Fernando — who had been ruled out of the England series with injury — has recovered and earned a place in the Asian Games 15.
Charith Asalanka had captained the side in England after originally-selected skipper Kusal Mendis was sidelined with injury.
Sri Lanka's Asian Games Cricket History
Cricket has appeared at the Asian Games on three occasions since its debut at the 2010 Guangzhou Games. Sri Lanka claimed bronze in Guangzhou before winning gold at Incheon in 2014, defeating Afghanistan in the final. However, the island nation returned empty-handed from the 2023 Hangzhou Games, where India took gold, Afghanistan silver, and Bangladesh bronze.
The Competition Ahead in Aichi-Nagoya
Sri Lanka will be targeting a return to the podium for the first time since their 2014 gold-medal triumph. The field is competitive: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan are all regarded as strong medal contenders alongside the Sri Lankans in the Aichi-Nagoya Games.
Full Squad
Sahan Arachchige (c), Lasith Croospulle, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Sineth Jayawardena, Nuwanidu Fernando, Sohan de Livera, Ashen Bandara, Chamika Karunaratne, Tharindu Ratnayake, Wanuja Sahan, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Dushan Hemantha, Nuwan Thushara, Binura Fernando, Garuka Sanketh.
Sri Lanka open their campaign on 24 September, with all eyes on whether this reshuffled squad can end a 12-year wait for Asian Games cricket gold.
Point of View
Treating the Asian Games as a development vehicle rather than a prestige assignment. That logic is understandable given a draining bilateral calendar, but it carries real risk: India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan are likely to field near-full-strength T20I units, meaning Sri Lanka's fringe-heavy side faces a steep climb back to gold. The absence of any overlap with the England tour party — bar two names — also raises questions about squad continuity and whether the cricket board is genuinely invested in Asian Games performance or simply ticking an administrative box. Sri Lanka's 2023 Hangzhou blank-out should be a warning; reshuffling the deck without strengthening the hand rarely changes the outcome.
NationPress
22 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is captaining Sri Lanka at the Asian Games 2026?
Sahan Arachchige has been named captain of Sri Lanka's 15-member T20I squad for the Asian Games 2026 in Japan. Niroshan Dickwella continues as wicketkeeper in the side.
When and where is the Asian Games 2026 cricket tournament?
The 10-team T20I cricket competition runs from 24 September to 3 October 2026 at Kōrogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Sri Lanka's squad departs on 24 September.
How different is this squad from Sri Lanka's recent England T20I side?
The Asian Games squad is significantly different from the England T20I touring party, which Sri Lanka lost 3-0. Only Nuwan Thushara and Tharindu Ratnayake are included in both squads. Charith Asalanka, who captained in England, is absent from the Asian Games 15.
What is Sri Lanka's cricket record at the Asian Games?
Sri Lanka have competed in Asian Games cricket on three occasions since the sport's 2010 Guangzhou debut. They won bronze in Guangzhou (2010) and gold at Incheon (2014) before finishing without a medal at Hangzhou (2023), where India claimed gold.
Who are the main medal contenders at Asian Games 2026 cricket?
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan are all considered strong medal contenders alongside Sri Lanka in the Aichi-Nagoya Games. India are the defending champions from Hangzhou 2023, with Afghanistan as silver medallists.
