Sri Lanka- Kusal Perera is making his return to international cricket after recovering from Covid-19 and will open the stick after Dasun Shanaka chooses to strike.
Kusal tested positive for Covid last month and was included in Sri Lanka’s squad for ODI against South Africa, but only received medical clearance to play that match. He also missed the home series against India in July with a shoulder injury. Avishka Fernando, Sri Lanka’s second-highest scorer among the ODIs, was left out to make way for Kusal.
Sri Lanka also changed their attack and left out Akila Dananjaya, who had a night’s rest in the first T20I, for Praveen Jayawickrama. They stuck with a three-round, two-seam attack, which was also South Africa’s makeup on a surface that should be fine for slower bowling. The conditions also suggest that the team that strikes first has the advantage, with the points score expected to be more difficult as the game progresses.
South Africa’s only change came in the top five, where David Miller was sent off with a strained thigh. Rassie van der Dussen, who was absent on Friday with a hamstring problem, joined the squad.
Sri Lanka: 1 Kusal Perera, 2 Dinesh Chandimal (week), 3 Bhanuka Rajapaksa, 4 Dhananjaya de Silva, 5 Charith Asalanka, 6 Dasun Shanaka (capt), 7 Wanindu Hasaranga, 8 Chamika Karunaratne, 9 Dushmantha Chameera, 10 Maheesh Theekshana, 11 Praveen Jayawickrama
South Africa: 1 Reeza Hendricks, 2 Quinton de Kock (week) 3 Aiden Markram, 4 Heinrich Klaasen, 5 Rassie van der Dussen, 6 Dwaine Pretorius, 7 Keshav Maharaj (capt), 8 Kagiso Rabada, 9 Bjorn Fortuin, 10 Anrich Nortje, 11 Tabraiz Shamsi
