Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis has been ruled out of the T20I leg of the upcoming tour of England, having failed to recover in time from a hamstring injury. Charith Asalanka will lead Sri Lanka in Mendis’ absence for the series.

Mendis sustained a hamstring injury two games into the Lanka Premier League with Colombo Kaps in July, which subsequently ruled him out of the two-Test series against India at home. Asalanka, who was initially appointed vice-captain, will now lead the team in what will be his comeback series in the shortest format, having been dropped for the tour of the West Indies in June.

Batter Pavan Rathnayake will replace Mendis for the series, while Dilshan Madushanka has also been called up as a replacement for fellow left-arm pacer Binura Fernando. Fernando has been ruled out of the T20Is with a back injury.

Sri Lanka will face England in the first T20I at The Rose Bowl in Southampton on September 15.

Sri Lanka’s updated squad for England T20Is: Charith Asalanka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Lahiru Udara, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Tharindu Rathnayake, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga, Nuwan Thushara, Pavan Rathnayake, Dilshan Madushanka