Samaraweera Returns To Sri Lankan ODI Squad

Samaraweera Returns To Sri Lankan ODI Squad

Thilan Samaraweera is back in the Sri Lankan ODI squad.

©REUTERS/Vivek Prakash (SRI LANKA SPORT CRICKET) Picture Supplied by Action Images

Batsman Thilan Samaraweera has earned a recall to Sri Lanka's One-Day International squad ahead of their five-match series against Pakistan.

Samaraweera, who has been in sublime form in Test cricket over the past 18 months, has been named in a 15-man squad for the series, which begins in Dambulla on Thursday 30th July.

Samaraweera, who made his ODI debut in 1998 as a specialist bowler batting at number ten in the order, last played an ODI in November 2005 against India in Vadodara.

The two sides also play a Twenty20 International in Colombo on Wednesday 12th August, a repeat of the ICC World Twenty20 final at Lord's in June.

Muttiah Muralitharan makes a return after he missed the Test series against Pakistan, which Sri Lanka won 2-0, with a knee injury but Tillakaratne Dilshan misses out with the fractured finger he picked up in the third Test.

Captain Kumar Sangakkara will keep wicket and there is also a recall for opening batsman Upul Tharanga and leg-spinner Malinga Bandara.

Bandara last played against Bangladesh in July 2007, while Tharanga was last picked for the ODI Tri-Series final against Bangladesh earlier this year.

Sri Lanka ODI squad: Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Muttiah Muralitharan, Sanath Jayausuriya, Upul Tharanga, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Kapugedara, Thilina Kandamby, Angelo Mathews, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis, Malinga Bandara, Thilan Thushara, Isuru Udana

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