Jehan Mubarak Returns to Sri Lanka Squad After 8 Years

Jehan Mubarak is all set to make a comeback for the Sri Lanka Test squad after nearly eight years in the upcoming home series against Pakistan.

Sri Lanka will host Pakistan for three Tests, starting with the first one on June 17 in Galle, followed by the second in Colombo and third in Pallekele before the ODIs and T20s.

Mubarak, 34, last played a Test in 2007 and had to be an automatic choice for a spot in the Test squad after scoring over 1000 domestic runs in each of the two past seasons with a staggering average of 81.78 in the Premier League Tournament since the beginning of 2014. Even at 34, he seemed to be at the peak of his fitness and his fielding too caught the eye of Jonty Rhodes during the former South African’s 10-day training camp in Sri Lanka.

There were other significant changes in the test squad. Fast bowler Shaminda Eranga was ruled out with a back injury while Suranga Lakmal’s inclusion will depend on how quickly he recovers from a groin complaint.

The three youngsters -Offspinner Tharindu Kaushal, uncapped fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera and left-handed batsman Kusal Perera also made the cut.
Chameera, 23, and Kaushal, 22, had made their international debuts during the tour to New Zealand in December and January, before appearing together in the World Cup quarter final against South Africa. Kaushal’s inclusion is a reward for three successful years in domestic and A -team cricket, while Chameera has been picked largely because of his pace.

Kusal Perera, meanwhile, has almost cemented a spot in the middle order during Pakistan A’s recent tour, in which he struck four centuries, an 87, and a 90, in the space of only seven innings

Test squad of Sri Lanka : Angelo Mathews (captain), Lahiru Thirimanne (vice-captain), Kaushal Silva, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kithruwan Vithanage, Jehan Mubarak, Kusal Perera, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Tharindu Kaushal, Nuwan Pradeep, Dhammika Prasad, Dushmantha Chameera, Suranga Lakmal (subject to fitness).

Editor : Akanksha Agarwal