DDS set to return to T20I cricket after 18 months

Intermittent rain at Dambulla Three-match T20I series for Rhino Roofing Cup commences today

- Sa’ADI THAWFEEQ REPORTING FROM DAMBULLA

DHANANJAYA de Silva, Sri Lanka’s Test captain is all set to return to T20 International cricket after a gap of 18 months when the three-match series against Pakistan played for the Rhino Roofing Cup opens at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium at 7 p.m. today.

Sri Lanka’s top and middle order failure to deliver has forced the national cricket selectors to bring back De Silva who will bat at no. 4 displacing Kusal Perera who has been rested as a precautionary measure after being hit on the hand during practice. The advantage that De Silva brings to the table is that he can also bowl spin and be used for the full quota of four overs, thereby solving Sri Lanka’s perennial issue of whether to play a 7-4 or 6-5 combination. With De Silva they can opt for 7 batters with him playing the role of fifth bowler.