Veteran Sri Lankan cricketer Dinesh Chandimal has returned to the national T20I side for the first time in over two years.
His inclusion came ahead of the series-deciding third T20I against Bangladesh in Colombo, being played on Wednesday, July 16. Chandimal last featured in a T20I in February 2022, and his comeback adds experience to Sri Lanka's middle order.
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Sri Lanka, who are hosting this match at home, decided to bat first after skipper Charith Asalanka won the toss. With the series locked at 1-1, this final T20I will determine the winner.
The hosts had dominated the opening game, but Bangladesh bounced back strongly in the second to level things up.
How did Chandimal perform on his T20I comeback?
Chandimal’s much-awaited return didn’t go as hoped. Batting at No. 4, he managed just 4 runs from 5 balls before being dismissed by Mahedi Hasan. He couldn’t hit a single boundary during his short stay, making it a quiet comeback after two years away from T20Is.
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What are the changes in both teams for the Colombo T20I?
Chandimal has replaced Avishka Fernando in the XI, slotting in at No. 4. Allrounder Kamindu Mendis has also come into the side, replacing Chamika Karunaratne.
On the other side, Bangladesh have made two changes of their own. Mahedi Hasan and Tanzim Hasan Sakib have been brought into the team in place of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mohammad Saifuddin.
Sri Lanka Playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Charith Asalanka (capt), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Jeffrey Vandersay, Maheesh Theekshana, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara.
Bangladesh Playing XI:: 1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Parvez Hossain Emon, 3 Litton Das (capt, wk), 4 Towhid Hridoy, 5 Shamim Hossain, 6 Jaker Ali, 7 Mahedi Hasan, 8 Rishad Hossain, 9 Tanzim Hasan, 10 Shoriful Islam, 11 Mustafizur Rahman