Sri Lanka back Asalanka as captain

Sri Lanka have thrown their weight behind under-fire skipper Charith Asalanka, trusting him to steady the ship and take the side through to the T20 World Cup that the island will co-host with India.

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Asalanka had been entrusted with the captaincy for the ongoing white-ball series in Pakistan but was withdrawn on the eve of the T20Is after Sri Lanka copped a 3-0 thumping in the ODIs.

The official line was that the captain — who flew home with fast bowler Asitha Fernando — was unwell. But those in the inner ring felt there was more to this early departure than a flu.

Asalanka, along with several seniors, had pushed to call off the Pakistan tour after a bomb blast in Islamabad rattled the dressing room. Even with VVIP security assurances from the Pakistan government, the players stood their ground. At the eleventh hour, they reversed course when Sri Lanka Cricket refused to be bounced out of the tour and lined up replacements to be flown in. It was a captain’s challenge off the pitch and a reminder that leadership often requires playing on a sticky wicket.