ZIM vs SL 2025: Wanindu Hasaranga Ruled Out of Zimbabwe T20Is, Asia Cup Participation in Doubt

Wanindu Hasaranga's hamstring injury has forced him to miss the T20I series against Zimbabwe, which has hampered Sri Lanka's Asia Cup preparations. He missed the July T20I series against Bangladesh in Colombo due to the same injury. Hasaranga was still recuperating from the injury, hence his name was omitted from Sri Lanka's 16-man roster for the two-match ODI series against Zimbabwe.

Hasaranga's absence occurs at a pivotal moment. Beginning on August 29, Sri Lanka will play two One-Day Internationals (ODIs) against Zimbabwe in Harare. On September 3, they will begin a three-match Twenty20 International series. The management will now have to try out substitutes for Hasaranga, even though these games were supposed to help them fine-tune combinations before the Asia Cup.

ZIM vs SL 2025 Big Update:

Wanindu Hasaranga misses out as Sri Lanka name T20I squad for Zimbabwe tour pic.twitter.com/EZ33KCM4Ee

— Gags (@CatchOfThe40986) August 28, 2025

Charith Asalanka will return to the team as captain for the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, with seasoned players Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, and Dasun Shanaka offering stability. Young all-rounders Dunith Wellalage and Kamindu Mendis will have to step up as spin-bowling all-rounders in Hasaranga's absence. Additionally, the tour gives peripheral players like Vishen Halambage and Kamil Mishara a chance to make an impression on the selectors in the hopes of being included in the Asia Cup squad.

The first two ODIs of Sri Lanka's tour of Zimbabwe are set for August 29 and 31 in Harare. In order to prepare for the Asia Cup 2025, the teams will then play a three-match T20I series in Harare on September 3, 6, and 7. Sri Lanka, which placed second in the last competition, will kick off their Asia Cup campaign on Saturday, September 13, in Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

Sri Lanka Squad for Zimbabwe T20Is: Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Vishen Halambage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, and Charith Asalanka (C) 

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