# Charith Asalanka Dropped as Sri Lanka Confirm Squad for Tri-Series in Pakistan > Following a lean run against England, former skipper Charith Asalanka has been left out of Sri Lanka's ODI tri-series squad featuring Pakistan and England. **Type:** article · **Category:** Cricket · **Published:** 2026-10-04 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/cricket/charith-asalanka-para-giri-gaja-pakistan-daure-ki-vanade-trikoniya-sirija-se-chayanakartaon-ne-dikhaya-bahara-ka-rasta-42777 · **Language:** English **Tags:** Sri Lanka Cricket, Charith Asalanka, Pakistan Tri Series, Kusal Mendis, Avishka Fernando, ODI Cricket Sri Lanka have finalised their squad for the upcoming ODI tri-series in Pakistan, making the decisive call to leave out former captain Charith Asalanka. The 50-over competition brings together hosts Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England for an extensive contest later this month. Asalanka, who has featured in 88 ODIs holding a career batting average of 40.55, paid the price for an extended drop in run production during recent international outings. ## Disappointing Numbers in England Cost Asalanka His Spot The selection committee opted to omit Asalanka following his troublesome outing across the English tour. Throughout the three-match bilateral series against England, the middle-order batsman struggled for fluency, recording meager scores of 1, 11 and 7. His removal from the ODI group follows an earlier exclusion from the three-match T20I roster slated against Pakistan. The development represents a notable downturn in his national standing, particularly after he served as vice-captain during the English assignment and handled leadership duties in the T20 matches when regular captain Kusal Mendis sustained a leg injury. ## Recalls for Avishka Fernando and Sahan Arachchige To fill the vacancies created by Asalanka's departure and Wanindu Hasaranga's physical setback, the management has reintroduced Avishka Fernando and all-rounder Sahan Arachchige. Hasaranga remains sidelined due to a hamstring injury sustained while competing in England, which ruled him out of touring contention entirely. Meanwhile, Fernando forced his way back into national colours through outstanding performances on the domestic circuit. Representing his side in the Major Clubs Limited Over Tournament, the top-order batsman accumulated 447 runs across 7 innings at a commanding average of 63.85, providing the selectors with undeniable form. ## Core Group Retained Despite Series Defeat Beyond the enforced injury change and the tactical batting switch, the rest of the touring party mirrors the lineup that featured in the recent bilateral rubber against England. Sri Lanka endured a 2-1 series loss on English soil, but team officials have largely backed the existing unit to deliver improved results on subcontinent tracks against dual overseas opposition. ## Rawalpindi and Lahore to Stage Tri-Nation Action From October 18 The tri-series begins on October 18, with the opening fixture pitting Pakistan against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi. The initial round of games across the three sides will take place at Rawalpindi before the competition moves over to Lahore for the second phase of group encounters. The summit clash to decide the tournament champion is scheduled for October 31. ## Sri Lanka's 16-Man Roster for the ODI Tri-Series Kusal Mendis has been entrusted with team leadership for the campaign. The full 16-player touring party includes 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, and Eshan Malinga. ## What this means for you This squad announcement brings significant strategic implications for international cricket followers and fantasy sports enthusiasts. - **For Cricket Followers:** Sri Lanka's batting structure will feature fresh dynamics in the absence of a long-standing middle-order staple. Avishka Fernando's inclusion promises greater top-order intent given his stellar recent domestic form. - **For Fantasy Players:** Fantasy team selections must now omit Charith Asalanka and the injured Wanindu Hasaranga. Players will need to pivot towards form picks such as Fernando and all-rounder Sahan Arachchige. - **For Tournament Viewers:** High-stakes 50-over cricket between Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and England will unfold from October 18 through October 31. Fans can plan their schedules around fixtures staged in Rawalpindi and Lahore. - **For Sri Lankan Team Dynamics:** Following their 2-1 defeat in England, the squad faces a crucial test of adaptation back in subcontinent conditions. Establishing balance ahead of major global fixtures will be a primary focus. ## Why this happened The selection committee implemented these major squad revisions based on recent individual form slumps and physical setbacks on tour. - **Asalanka's Recent Batting Slump:** Charith Asalanka registered consecutive low scores of 1, 11, and 7 across the three-match ODI series in England. The lack of runs from a senior batsman forced selectors to make a change. - **Hasaranga's Hamstring Complication:** Star leg-spinner and all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga sustained a hamstring injury during the tour of England. The injury made him completely unavailable for the Pakistan fixtures. - **Fernando's Domestic Dominance:** Avishka Fernando accumulated 447 runs in 7 innings at an average of 63.85 in the Major Clubs Limited Over Tournament. Such overwhelming domestic numbers demanded an immediate national recall. - **Preceding T20I Exclusion:** Asalanka had already been left out of the three-match T20I team slated for Pakistan. His omission from the 50-over squad marks a direct continuation of that selection stance. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. Why was Charith Asalanka dropped from the Pakistan ODI tri-series? He was excluded due to poor batting form after managing scores of just 1, 11, and 7 during the recent series against England. ### 2. Which players earned recalls to the Sri Lankan ODI squad? Top-order batter Avishka Fernando and all-rounder Sahan Arachchige were recalled to the squad. ### 3. Why is Wanindu Hasaranga missing from the tour? Hasaranga was ruled out after sustaining a hamstring injury during the tour of England. ### 4. What were Avishka Fernando's recent domestic numbers? He scored 447 runs across 7 innings at an average of 63.85 in Sri Lanka's Major Clubs Limited Over Tournament. ### 5. What are the start and end dates of the tri-series? The tri-series begins on October 18 in Rawalpindi, with the final taking place on October 31. ### 6. Which national teams are participating in this competition? The tri-nation tournament features Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and England. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._