Sri Lanka has named three uncapped pacers Nuwan Thushara, Chamika Gunasekara and Shiran Fernando in their squad for the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe which gets underway on Sunday.
Dhananjaya De Silva will miss the series because of paternity leave while the hosts will also miss the services of Avishka Fernando, Janith Liyanage and Kamil Mishara after the three players tested positive for COVID-19.
Sri Lanka Cricket also confirmed that Lahiru Kumara and Kalana Perera were not picked for failing to meet the fitness standards. Wanindu Hasaranga will not be part of the series that will start on Sunday in Pallekele.
The next two matches will be played at the same venue on January 18 and 21 respectively.
Thushara bagged 5 for 13 in the Lanka Premier League for Galle Gladiators against Jaffna Kings before the final and was their second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament.
He has featured in 15 List A matches and has bagged 11 wickets so far. Gunasekara most recent performance against Pakistan A saw his bag 6 for 83 in a first-class contest while Shiran has 26 wickets from as many List A matches to show for.
Zimbabwe arrived on Sunday but have had to prepare without their coach Lalchand Rajput as he undergoes isolation after testing positive for Covid-19 upon arrival in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Squad: Dasun Shanaka (c) (pictured), Pathum Nissanka, Minod Bhanuka, Charith Asalanka, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamika Karunaratne, Jeffrey Vandersay, Nuwan Thushara, Ramesh Mendis, Praveen Jayawickrama, Dushmantha Chameera, Chamika Gunasekera, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Nuwan Pradeep, Shiran Fernando, Kamindu Mendis.