The term of the current selection panel for the National Cricket Team is due to expire on 11 December, its head Upul Tharanga said during a virtual media briefing convened by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Wednesday (26).

It also featured National Team Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya who linked up from the hotel in Pakistan where Dasun Shanaka’s team is based for their ongoing tri-series tournament which also includes Zimbabwe.

Tharanga was appointed to the said panel for a two-year stint by former Sports Minister Harin Fernando in December 2023 and it also included the likes of former players Dilruwan Perera, Tharanga Paranavitana, Ajantha Mendis, and Indika de Saram.

However, precisely a year later, former off spinner Perera resigned from the selection panel to focus on a full-time career in coaching.

Meanwhile, a source from SLC stated that following a request made by the game’s local controlling body to its member clubs and associations, 13 names had been received to choose the new selection committee.

Accordingly, based on instructions from the Ministry of Sports, a list of 10 has already been sent by SLC to the subject Minister and it is expected that the latter will announce the new panel to serve a two-year tenure by next week. 

(JK)