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Sri Lanka name rookie Chandimal for World Twenty20

COLOMBO - Sri Lanka on Wednesday picked uncapped batsman Dinesh Chandimal for next month’s World Twenty20 tournament to be played in the Caribbean.

The 20-year-old, who also doubles up as a wicket-keeper, impressed the selectors with a string of big scores in domestic Twenty20 competitions.

Chandimal is the only player without international experience in the 15-man squad led by batsman-wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara, with spin veteran Muttiah Muralitharan as the vice-captain.

The squad also includes veteran batsman Sanath Jayasuriya, who turns 41 in June.

Sri Lanka, who lost to Pakistan in the final of the World Twenty20 in England last year, are drawn with New Zealand and Zimbabwe in group B of the preliminary league.

Two teams from each of the four groups will advance to the Super Eights round.

Sri Lanka and New Zealand will clash in the opening match of the 12-nation tournament in Providence, Guyana, on April 30.

The final will be played in Barbados on May 16.

Sri Lanka’s squad:

Kumar Sangakkara (capt), Muttiah Muralitharan (vice-capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Thissara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekera, Suraj Randiv, Ajantha Mendis, Lasith Malinga, Chanaka Welagedara, Chamara Kapugedara, Sanath Jayasuriya, Chinthaka Jayasinghe.