Ruchira and Pushpakumara recalled for the Bangladesh Test

Fast bowlers Ruchira Perera and Ravindra Pushpakumara have been recalled into Sri Lanka's 15-man squad for the forthcoming Asian Test Championship match against Bangladesh at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on Thursday.

Left arm pace bowler Ruchira Perera was a surprise omission from the Sri Lanka squad for the third Test against India after two reasonable performances in the first two Tests matches in Galle and Kandy.

Right arm Pushpakumara, 26, meanwhile, gets a recall after more than year out of the squad. His last Test was against Pakistan in June last year. He has played in 22 Tests.

Both Ruchira Perera and Puspakumara are likely to play in place of Dulip Liyanage and Dilhara Fernando, who is suffering from a groin strain.

Although Fernando's injury is not serious, the Sri Lankans selectors were keen that the injury not be aggravated and are likely to rest him.

Left-handed batsman Michael Vandort is tipped to make his debut in place of the out-of-touch Russel Arnold, who scored just 60 runs in four innings during the Indian series.

The Squad:

Sanath Jayasuriya, Marvan Atapattu, Michael Vandort, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Hashan Tillakaratne, Thilan Samaraweera, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ravindra Pushpakumara, Ruchira Perera, Russel Arnold, Avishka Gunawardene, Suresh Perera, Dilhara Fernando.