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COLOMBO: Sri Lanka white-ball captain Kusal Mendis has credited his impressive campaign in Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 for helping him improve his batting and gain confidence ahead of the upcoming multi-format tour of the West Indies.
Speaking before Sri Lanka’s departure for the Caribbean, Mendis said his experience in the PSL proved highly beneficial both technically and mentally as he prepares to lead the side in the white-ball leg of the tour.
“I scored over 500 runs in the PSL. It was the best tournament I have ever played. I gained great experience and learned a lot from the Pakistan players,” Mendis said.
The wicketkeeper-batter enjoyed a sensational season for champions Peshawar Zalmi, finishing as the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament, only behind his team’s captain Babar Azam.
Mendis amassed 550 runs in 11 matches at an outstanding average of 55.00 and an explosive strike-rate of 168.19, registering one century and four half-centuries during the campaign.
Sri Lanka’s upcoming tour of the West Indies will be their first international assignment since a disappointing run in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
The tour will begin with a three-match ODI series at Sabina Park in Kingston from June 3 to June 8.
The two teams will then face off in a three-match T20I series at the same venue between June 11 and June 14 before concluding the tour with a two-match Test series at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound from June 25 to July 7.
Sri Lanka have named separate squads for all three formats, with Mendis leading the ODI and T20I sides, while Dhananjaya de Silva will captain the Test squad.
Sri Lanka squads for the West Indies tour
ODI: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Pavan Rathnayake, Kusal Mendis (C), Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Milan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando and Pramod Madushan.
T20I: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Lasith Croospulle, Pavan Rathnayake, Kusal Mendis (C), Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Milan Rathnayake, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga, Binura Fernando and Nuwan Thushara.
Test: Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Dinesh Chandimal, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kamindu Mendis, Sonal Dinusha, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (C), Milan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Isitha Wijesundara and Kasun Rajitha.
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