Senior player returns to Sri Lanka's T20I side after three years

Sri Lanka have named their 16-member T20I squad for the home series against Zimbabwe which sees the return of Mathews, who last played a T20I in 2021.

With the ICC Men's T20 World Cup just around the corner, Mathews adds experience to Sri Lanka's T20I squad that will have Hasaranga leading for the first time.

Mathews, who was called up as a replacement to India for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, forms a part of a strong batting group that has vice-captain Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Pathum Nissanka, whose inclusion is subject to fitness.

There are also all-rounders in plenty in the squad with Dhananjaya de Silva and Mathews joined by Dasun Shanaka, Hasaranga and Kamindu Mendis.

Dilshan Madushanka and Dushmantha Chameera leads the pace attack that also has the exciting Nuwan Thushara and Matheesha Pathirana.

Hasaranga is joined in the spin department by Maheesh Theekshana and Akila Dananjaya, who like Mathews, last played a T20I in 2021.

The series commences on January 14 with all three games set to be played in Colombo. 

Sri Lanka T20I squad: Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kusal Janith Perera, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Pathum Nissanka (subject to fitness), Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Akila Dananjaya.