On Tuesday, September 22, 2026, the Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee met and finalised a 15-player men’s squad for the T20I tournament at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan. Sahan Arachchige will captain the team, while Niroshan Dickwella will continue as wicketkeeper.
The team is scheduled to leave for Japan on September 24, 2026. The T20I competition will take place from September 24 to October 3, 2026, with every match held at Kōrogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Aichi Prefecture. Ten countries will compete in the men’s event.
The team includes a blend of seasoned players and less regular contributors, with Chamika Karunaratne and Nuwan Thushara standing out as the more established members. Ashen Bandara, Sohan de Livera, and Lasith Croospulle offer batting options, while Vijayakanth Viyaskanth brings a specialist leg-spin option to the bowling lineup. The team is markedly different from the one that recently competed in Sri Lanka’s three-match T20I series in England, which the hosts won 3-0 after an eight-wicket triumph at Old Trafford on September 19.
England swept Sri Lanka 3-0 in the three-match T20I series. The Three Lions completed their clean sweep with an eight-wicket win at Old Trafford on September 19, 2026. Charith Asalanka took over as captain after Kusal Mendis, the initially designated leader, was ruled out due to injury before the tour. The significant contrast between England’s touring squad and the Asian Games team highlights the selectors’ aim to evaluate a wider range of players through the multi-sport event before upcoming fixtures.
Sri Lanka’s Full squad for the Asian Games 2026 men’s T20I event:
Sahan Arachchige ( C), Lasith Croospulle, Niroshan Dickwella ( WK), Sineth Jayawardena, Nuwanidu Fernando, Sohan de Livera, Ashen Bandara, Chamika Karunaratne, Tharindu Ratnayake, Wanuja Sahan, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Dushan Hemantha, Nuwan Thushara, Binura Fernando, Garuka Sanketh.
