By Srian Obeyesekere

The Sri Lanka 16-member T20 squad took wing for Bangladesh in the wee hours of Thursday morning for a 3-match series.

The side will be without the services of key player skipper Wanindu Hasaranga for the first two games following an ICC suspension, and vice-captain Charith Asalanka will captain the team in the first two T20s.

Prior to departure, stand in captain, Asalanka said the side was well prepared to take on Bangladesh with their moral high following recent series triumphs against Zimbabwe and Afghanistan.

“We are fully prepared and confident of defeating Bangladesh, but we are mindful that they are a strong outfit particularly in their own backyard,” he said while adding that the presence of senior players like Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka and Kusal Janith Player was a buoying factor as they brought in much experience to the side.

Key players Pathum Nissanka and Dushmantha Chameera have been sidelined by injury.

The T20 series will be followed by two test matches at Chittagong and Sylhet.

SRI LANKA T20 SQUAD:

Wanindu Hasaranga – Captain, Charith Asalanka -Vice Captain, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Janith Perera, Dilshan Madushanka, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Akila Dananjaya, Binura Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando (comes in place of Pathum Nissanka), Jeffrey Vandersay.