Sri Lanka drop Asalanka for Pakistan ODI tri-series; Avishka, Sahan recalled
Synopsis
Charith Asalanka's rapid slide from ODI vice-captain to squad exile is complete — axed after scores of 1, 11 and 7 against England, he now misses the Pakistan ODI tri-series too, having already been dropped from the T20I squad. Sri Lanka's selectors have moved quickly, recalling Avishka Fernando and Sahan Arachchige as the side tries to regroup before Rawalpindi on 18 October.
Key Takeaways
Charith Asalanka has been dropped from Sri Lanka's ODI squad for the Pakistan tri-series after scores of 1 , 11 , and 7 against England.
Avishka Fernando and Sahan Arachchige have been recalled in his place, with Arachchige also covering for the injured Wanindu Hasaranga .
The ODI tri-series — featuring Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and England — runs from 18 October to 31 October in Rawalpindi .
Pathum Nissanka and Dushmantha Chameera are included subject to fitness clearance.
Asalanka was also excluded from Sri Lanka's T20I squad for the Pakistan leg starting 9 October .
Sri Lanka have named their squad for the upcoming ODI tri-series in Pakistan, dropping out-of-form former captain Charith Asalanka and recalling opener Avishka Fernando and all-rounder Sahan Arachchige. The tri-series, which also features England and the hosts Pakistan, gets underway on 18 October in Rawalpindi and runs through 31 October.
Asalanka's Poor Run Costs Him His Place
Charith Asalanka, 29, had a miserable white-ball series against England, contributing scores of 1, 11, and 7 across three ODIs. The selectors have now dropped him entirely from the ODI setup. Notably, this is the second successive squad he has missed — he was also left out of Sri Lanka's T20I squad for the Pakistan leg that begins on 9 October.
Asalanka's exclusion is a significant fall from grace. He had been removed as ODI captain as recently as May 2026, was brought back into the leadership group as vice-captain for the England tour, and had even led the T20I side in the absence of regular skipper Kusal Mendis during that trip. His last T20I appearance before England had been at the 2026 World Cup, following a six-month absence from the format.
Hasaranga Injury Paves Way for Arachchige
All-rounder Sahan Arachchige comes into the side in place of the injured Wanindu Hasaranga, who sustained a hamstring injury during the England tour and remains unavailable. Avishka Fernando fills the batting slot vacated by Asalanka's dropping. Both players were previously outside the ODI setup and earn recalls on the back of consistent domestic performances.
Fitness Clouds Over Nissanka and Chameera
The rest of the squad is otherwise unchanged from the 1-2 ODI series defeat to England. However, fitness concerns linger over two key members. Opener Pathum Nissanka, who was ruled out of the Pakistan T20Is, will travel with the squad only if cleared fit by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). Similarly, fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera was picked for the T20I leg subject to a fitness clearance and retains his place in the ODI squad under the same condition.
Full Sri Lanka ODI Squad
Kusal Mendis (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kamil Mishara, Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Sachindu Colombage, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga.
Sri Lanka will look to bounce back from their England series loss when the tri-series kicks off in Rawalpindi, with the tournament providing a critical opportunity to rebuild form and combinations ahead of future ICC events.
Point of View
Reinstated as vice-captain for England, and now dropped from the squad altogether in the space of months. What is striking is the speed of the selectors' response: three low scores in a series and he is out, even as Sri Lanka keep faith with players carrying fitness doubts. The dual concern over Nissanka and Chameera heading into a tri-series suggests the team management is prioritising experience and potential over certainty — a gamble that could unravel if either is not fit in time for Rawalpindi.
NationPress
4 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Charith Asalanka dropped from Sri Lanka's ODI squad?
Charith Asalanka was dropped after scoring just 1, 11, and 7 in the three ODIs against England, a run that Sri Lanka's selectors deemed insufficient to retain his place. This follows his earlier removal as ODI captain in May 2026 and his exclusion from the T20I squad for the Pakistan series.
Who replaces Asalanka and Hasaranga in the Sri Lanka ODI squad?
Avishka Fernando has been recalled to replace Asalanka, while Sahan Arachchige comes in for the injured Wanindu Hasaranga, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained during the England tour.
When and where is the ODI tri-series in Pakistan?
The ODI tri-series involving Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and England is scheduled from 18 October to 31 October 2026, with matches to be played in Rawalpindi.
What is the fitness status of Pathum Nissanka and Dushmantha Chameera?
Both Pathum Nissanka and Dushmantha Chameera have been selected subject to fitness clearance. Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed Nissanka will travel with the squad only if declared fit, while Chameera's participation is also conditional on passing a fitness check.
What is Charith Asalanka's recent captaincy history with Sri Lanka?
Asalanka was removed as ODI captain in May 2026, but was brought back as vice-captain for the England tour and even led the T20I side when Kusal Mendis was injured. His last T20I before the England series was at the 2026 World Cup, after a six-month absence from the format.
