Quartet recalled for Asia Cup

Muttiah Muralitharan has taken 735 Test wickets in 120 games for Sri Lanka

Muttiah Muralitharan, Farveez Maharoof and Dilhara Fernando have all been recalled to the Sri Lanka squad for the upcoming Asia Cup in Pakistan, with Sanath Jayasuriya included by official request.

Off-spinner Muralitharan was rested for the one-day international series against West Indies, while all-rounder Maharoof and seamer Fernando have both recovered from injuries.

Jayasuriya was added to the squad at the request of the country’s sports minister.

The veteran opener was not picked in the initial group identified by the selectors but has now been added at the expense of Upul Tharanga after the intervention of Gamini Lokuge.

He said: "I ordered the change in the team after meeting the selectors as I felt that Jayasuriya still had something to offer to the national side.”

Fast bowlers Ishara Amarasinghe and Thilina Thushara and leg-spinner Malinga Bandara have been left out.

A spokesman for the selectors was unavailable for comment.

Sri Lanka Asia Cup squad: Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Mahela Udawatte, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chamara Silva, Chamara Kapugedara, Kaushalya Weeraratne, Farveez Maharoof, Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando, Ajantha Mendis, Muttiah Muralitharan, Jehan Mubarak, Nuwan Kulasekara.