Sri Lanka to name stands after Sangakkara, Jayawardene, other legends

The Sri Lankan Cricket Association has decided to name stands at the Premadasa Stadium and Pallekele Stadium after cricketing legends Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Muttiah Muralidharan, and Aravinda de Silva. Unlike the culture in other countries, Sri Lanka did not name the stands after their legends until now and now the board's decision has been hailed by all. Three stands at the R Premadasa Stadium will be named after Arjuna Ranatunga, Aravinda de Silva and Mahela Jayawardene whereas two stands at Pallakele Stadium will be named after Kumar Sangakkara and Muttiah Muralidharan. 

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Sri Lanka to honour legends

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Lasith Malinga to lead Sri Lanka in T20 series versus Australia

Lasith Malinga has been named as Sri Lanka's captain for their upcoming three-match T20I series against Australia. Along with Malinga, many other youngsters who performed well in Sri Lanka's recent tour of Pakistan, have been retained in the squad. Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, and Niroshan Dickwella are amongst the senior players who are included in Lanka's 16-man squad which was announced on Thursday. Sri Lanka sent many of its B-team players when they visited Pakistan due to several withdrawals over security concerns. However, Pakistan dominated Sri Lanka in the ODI series but the visitors bounced back with a clean sweep in the T20I series. It was Sri Lanka's first tour of Pakistan since the 2009 attack on a Sri Lankan team bus which killed eight people and injured several others. Except for countries like Zimbabwe, many countries have avoided playing Pakistan on their home ground about the 2009 debacle. Even during the current Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan's series, many A-team players opted out from the team squad. Pakistan ensured presidential-level security for the Sri Lankan players. The first T20I between Australia and Sri Lanka will be held on October 27, 2019, at the Adelaide Oval to kickstart the hosts' traditionally long home summer. The matches will be of high significance as it will be the ideal preparation for both sides ahead of next year's T20 World Cup, which will be held in Australia itself. Australia has already announced its squad.

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