Dasun Shanaka, part of the Rajasthan Royals setup in the Indian Premier League, has been named in the Sri Lankan cricket team for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Pakistan.
The 35-year-old all-rounder is part of a 15-member Sri Lanka T20 squad led by Kusal Mendis for the matches in Rawalpindi on October 9, 11 and 13.
Dasun Shanaka brings considerable experience to the Sri Lankan cricket setup, having played 137 T20 internationals since making his debut in 2015.
The right-handed batter has scored 2048 runs in the format and has also taken 46 wickets with his medium pace.
Shanaka has already produced one of his standout international knocks against Pakistan this year.
During the T20 World Cup 2026, he smashed an unbeaten 76 off just 31 balls, including eight sixes, against Pakistan in Pallekele.
Shanaka struck three successive sixes off Shaheen Afridi in the final over and almost pulled off a remarkable chase before Sri Lanka fell five runs short of Pakistan’s 212/8. It remains his highest score in T20 international cricket.
Earlier this year, Shanaka became only the fourth Sri Lankan batter to complete 2000 T20I runs during the tour of the West Indies. He represented Rajasthan Royals in seven matches during IPL 2026.
Sri Lanka head into the Pakistan assignment after a three-match T20I series in England last month.
The Pakistan T20Is will begin an extended tour running until November 21. Sri Lanka will subsequently feature in a five-match ODI tri-series involving Pakistan and England before playing two Tests against Pakistan.
Sri Lanka squad for Pakistan T20 series 2026
Sri Lankan cricket team: Kusal Mendis (captain), Kamil Mishara, Sineth Jayawardena, Lahiru Udara, Sahan Arachchige, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga.
