Mohamed Shiraz is all set for his international debut as the young spinner has been named in Sri Lanka’s cricket squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against India at home.
Sri Lanka Cricket Team (SLC) has added Shiraz to the ODI squad for the ODI series against Team India. Shiraz, 29, has joined Sri Lanka’s ODI squad as a replacement for injured speedster Matheesha Pathirana.
Mohamed Shiraz to make Sri Lanka debut against India
He has been making waves in domestic cricket and can be a skilled batsman, having scored over 500 runs across all formats. The fast bowler is currently playing for the Burgher Recreation Club in the Major Clubs Limited Over Tournament.
Recently, Shiraz showed his potential with a stellar performance, taking 6 wickets for just 21 runs against Kurunegala Youth Cricket Club, which were his best List A bowling figures. In his career so far, Shiraz has played 47 List A matches, in which he picked up 80 wickets at an impressive average of 17.52.
Furthermore, the 29-year-old has valuable experience in first-class cricket, playing 49 FC matches and taking 125 wickets at an incredible economy rate of 3.65 and an average of 31. He has also had 23 T20 wickets to his name in 23 games in Sri Lanka’s domestic competitions.
Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara to miss India ODIs after missing T20I series
Meanwhile, Dushmantha Chameera, who was ruled out of the T20I series due to bronchitis and a respiratory infection, will also miss the ODI series against India. Similarly, Nuwan Thushara will also miss the ODI series after fracturing his thumb during training before the series began.
On the other hand, 24-year-old Nishan Madushka has received his first ODI call-up to the Sri Lanka squad following his impressive start to his Test career. Madushka has already surpassed a double century in his eight Test matches and will now hope to have similar success in ODIs.
Notably, the three-match ODI series between Sri Lanka and India will begin with the first match at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on August 2, followed by the second and third ODIs on August 4 and 7 at the same venue.
I’m disappointed: Charith Asalanka on T20I series drubbing
Sri Lanka will look to make a stronger comeback in the upcoming three-match ODI series in Colombo after their recent 0-3 loss in the T20I series to the Indian cricket team at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy.
After losing the T20I series to Team India, Sri Lankan T20I captain Charith Asalanka stated, “I am really disappointed with our batting line-up, especially in the middle order and at the back of the middle order. The reason was very poor shot selection. The bowlers were bowling; that’s why Hasaranga came up with the order. We gave him the license to hit one or two boundaries; that didn’t work for us. Wrong shot selection on this pitch.
“When the ball is worn out, our shot selection needs to be perfect; it is really difficult to bat on these tracks. We definitely cannot make excuses. As professional cricketers, we need to do a bit more than this. I want to see good batting performances in ODIs, not like in T20s. Our top three and four have done well, and that is the only positive thing I have. The boys will do better.”
Here is Sri Lanka’s squad for India’s ODIs:
Charith Asalanka (C), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Nishan Madushka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Akila Dananjaya, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando , Mohamed Shiraz.
