Will Charith Asalanka Be Sacked After Reportedly Pushing to Abandon Pakistan Tour?

The fallout from Sri Lanka’s recent ODI tour of Pakistan continues after reports from Colombo suggested that national captain Charith Asalanka could be removed from his role.

According to reports in international media, Asalanka tried to encourage players to withdraw from the ongoing tri-nation series following the blast in Islamabad. Multiple Sri Lankan outlets have claimed that Asalanka allegedly advised teammates to reconsider continuing the tour due to heightened security concerns. The reports also claim that the batter’s omission from the tri-series squad was not due to illness but was Sri Lanka Cricket’s (SLC) decision as it weighs disciplinary action — a development that has sparked intense debate back home and raised questions about team unity.

In Charith Asalanka’s absence, Dasun Shanaka has been appointed captain for the remainder of the tri-series in Pakistan.

These claims come at a time when the tour’s security arrangements have been under close scrutiny. Earlier this month, concerns surfaced that several Sri Lankan players were uneasy after the Islamabad blast, prompting swift intervention from the Pakistan Cricket Board. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi personally visited the Sri Lankan squad at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, reassuring them of “foolproof” security and reiterating Pakistan’s long-standing commitment to hosting international cricket safely.

While SLC has not yet released an official statement on Charith Asalanka’s status, the situation has quickly escalated into one of the biggest controversies of the tri-series — and all eyes are now on what action the board will take.