Experienced Sri Lankan seamer Lasith Malinga has been called up for the 16-member squad that will be playing the Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates starting on September 15. Lasith Malinga hasn't played an international game since September 2017.

He was back with a bang as he grabbed two Bangladesh wickets in his first over, closing his wicket tally at four for the game on Saturday. Even though they lost the match, they have the opportunity to bounce back in the upcoming matches,

The veteran of 204 ODIs, Malinga has had a decent run in the domestic T20 Cricket in Sri Lanka lately which has been key to his return to the national side.

Malinga is set to team up with Dushmantha Chameera, Suranga Lakmal, and Kasun Rajitha in the pace attack for Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup 2018. Lahiru Kumara, who was the part of the team against South Africa in the recent home series, has been left out of the squad.

Chandimal's injury opens a door for Dickwellla

Dinesh Chandimal, who was unavailable from the South Africa series due to his suspension by ICC, had initially being named in the squad but wasn't able to recover from his injury in time.

He fractured his right middle finger during a domestic T20 match.

Niroshan Dickwella, was not part of the squad for Asia Cup originally, has been called up as the replacement of Dinesh Chandimal. Danushka Gunathilaka, who was suspended from the South Africa series by the Sri Lankan Cricket for his indiscipline behavior, finds a place in the side for the mega-event after some good show with the bat in the domestic T20 tournament.

Dananjaya likely to miss the first two games

The left-arm spinner, Amila Aponso, and Dilruwan Perera have also been included in the side.

The two spinners have not played for the national side since mid-2017.

Perera and Aponso will form the spin department alongside Akila Dananjaya, who likely to miss the first two games of the tournament due to the birth of his child. Even though the selectors have made some surprising calls regarding the squad, the biggest surprise has to be the return of Lasith Malinga.

Having picked up his 300th ODI wicket for Sri Lanka last year, it didn't seem that the pacer would ever return to the national side again. He didn't even feature in the domestic ODI tournament earlier this year, as he had to complete a consultant's job he landed with the IPL team, Mumbai Indians.

The Sri Lankan side led by Angelo Matthews may not be the strongest contender for the Asia Cup, but can't be taken lightly in the conditions of UAE. Sri Lanka will now play Afghanistan in their 2nd game on September 17 in Dubai.
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