The Sri Lankan cricket team arrives today for their series against the Tigers, which begins on Monday with the first of two Tests. Sri Lanka are scheduled to reach the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 11:45am. The AFP reports that Sri Lanka’s selectors on Thursday recalled unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis for the Test matches in Bangladesh after keeping him out of the recent series against Pakistan.
Mendis, 28, who bowls both off-spin and leg-breaks with an unusual finger-flicking action, last played a Test during his team’s home series against Bangladesh in March 2013.
Mendis, with 64 wickets in 17 Tests, replaces off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake from the side that earlier this week drew against Pakistan 1-1 in the United Arab Emirates.
The 15-man squad, released by Sri Lanka Cricket, does not feature batsman Lahiru Thirimanne and seamer Nuwan Kulasekara, who were both injured during the Pakistan matches.
Sri Lanka will play two Tests, three one-day internationals and two Twenty20 games during the month-long tour.
The first Test starts in Dhaka on Monday, followed by the second in Chittagong from February 4.
The squad for the limited-overs games will be picked later.
Squad
Angelo Mathews (capt), Dinesh Chandimal (vice-capt), Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Prasanna Jayawardene, Kithuruwan Vithanage, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Shaminda Eranga, Nuwan Pradeep, Vishwa Fernando, Ajantha Mendis.
-With New Age input
