COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Despite a lack of form, Dinesh Chandimal has been named Sri Lanka one-day international captain against South Africa for the first two matches of a five-match series.
He replaces Angelo Mathews, who is suspended for the matches on Saturday and Tuesday.
Chandimal is deputy to Mathews but has been enduring a lean patch all year. He’s managed 167 runs in 10 innings this year.
Mathews was suspended for maintaining a slow over rate in the tri-series final against India in the Caribbean last week.
Allrounder Jehan Mubarak has been included for the first time in four years. Mubarak, 32, last played for his country in a Twenty20 in June 2009.
Lahiru Thirimanne will be deputy to Chandimal in a squad that includes eight specialist batsmen, three seam bowlers and three specialist spinners.
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Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (captain), Lahiru Thirimanne, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Angelo Perera, Jehan Mubarak, Rangana Herath, Sachithra Senanayake, Ajantha Mendis, Lasith Malinga, Shaminda Eranga, Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal.