Siriwardene to lead hosts Sri Lanka

Shashikala Siriwardene will lead Sri Lanka's 14-member squad in the upcoming women's Asia Cup to be held in the country. Siriwardene had also led Sri Lanka in the last edition of the tournament, held in India in December 2006.

Chamari Polgampola will be her deputy, while Dilani Maodara is expected to don the wicketkeeping gloves. Sri Lanka had reached the final of the triangular tournament in 2006, but lost to India.

Bangladesh, by virtue of their triumph in the Asian Cricket Council tournament last year, will join Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan in the this year's edition, the first time four teams will be participating in the women's Asia Cup.

The teams will play each other twice with the top two progressing to the final. The tournament starts on May 2.

Sri Lanka squad:: Shashikala Siriwardene (capt), Chamari Polgampola, Dedunu Silva, Chamika Bandara, Suwini de Alwis, Eshani Kaushalya, Chamani Seneviratna, Sadamali Kumuduni, Inoka Galagedara, Dilani Maodara, Janakanthimala, Deepika Rasangika, Sumudu Fernando, Shiromala Weerakkody.

Stand-bys: Chandi Wickramaratne, Udeshika Prabodhani, Chamari Jayangani.