Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka and fast bowler Asitha Fernando will return home midway through the ODI series against Pakistan, with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirming that both players are leaving the tour due to illness. Their withdrawal comes at a sensitive time as the squad was on high alert following the recent bomb blast in Islamabad that raised security concerns for several Sri Lankan players.
Reports earlier this week indicated that several players had expressed a desire to return home following the explosion The SLC will issue a firm statement warning of disciplinary action against someone leaving the tour for non-medical reasons. The board has made it clear that the team is in a safe environment and that all players are expected to complete the assignment unless injury or illness precludes it.
In this context, the latest SLC communication clarified that Asalanka and Fernando are being released solely for medical reasons and not for security concerns. The board reiterated that the timing should not be misinterpreted, stressing that the pair require proper medical care and rest.
In an official statement titled ‘Sri Lanka Tour of Pakistan 2025 – Two players return home’, SLC confirmed the development:
“Captain Charith Asalanka and fast bowler Asitha Fernando, both suffering from illness, will return home. Both players will miss the upcoming tri-series with Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Zimbabwe. This precautionary decision ensures that they are given proper care and adequate time to recover before future assignments.”
With Asalanka unavailable, Dasun Shanaka will lead Sri Lanka in the upcoming tri-series. SLC also announced that Pavan Rathnayake has been called up to the T20I squad as a replacement.
The tour has already seen significant scheduling disruptions due to security concerns. The second ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, originally scheduled for November 13 in Rawalpindi, has been pushed back a day to November 14. The third ODI was also shifted from 15 to 16 November at the same venue.
In addition, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) moved the opening match of the T20I tri-series, Pakistan vs Zimbabwe, from 17 to 18 November and moved the entire competition to Rawalpindi as the sole host venue.
Despite the uncertainty off the field, SLC say the team remains in safe hands and fully protected by local authorities. Sri Lanka will now adapt under Shanaka as they prepare for the tri-series in a challenging environment.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
November 17, 2025
