Sri Lanka on Tuesday announced their playing XI against T20 World Champion Australia for the first match of the tri T20I series in Colombo. Among the players, all-rounder Dasun Shanaka will be the captain for the Sri Lankan side during the three-match series. International league stars Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Chamika Karunaratne, and Bhanuka Rajapaksa have also been included in the playing XI list.

Top-order batters- Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka are named in the top six. The young fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana is yet to make his debut. Pathirana, who has a bowling style similar to Lasith Malinga had impressed the selection committee while playing two innings for Chennai Super Kings during the Indian Premier League 2022.