Sri Lanka will field a separate seven-member squad at the Hong Kong Sixes 2026, with Sangeeth Cooray appointed captain for the tournament scheduled from October 30 to November 1.
The squad was announced by Sri Lanka Cricket on October 14 and contains no players from the 15-member national T20I squad selected for the recent series against Pakistan.
The selection gives Sri Lanka a different group of players for the six-a-side competition, which will be held at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground in Kowloon.
Twelve international teams are scheduled to participate in the three-day tournament.
Sri Lanka’s seven-player squad
Captain: Sangeeth Cooray
Sachitha Jayatilake
Movin Subasinghe
Ravindu Fernando
Vishen Halambage
Muditha Lakshan
Chamindu Wijesinghe
The seven names were confirmed in the selection committee’s official announcement.
Comparing that list with the Pakistan T20I squad announced on October 2 shows that none of the seven Hong Kong selections appeared in the 15-player squad for the three-match series.
The two selections concern different competitions, and Sri Lanka Cricket has not described the Hong Kong squad as a replacement for its national T20I team.
Bangladesh and Scotland await in the group stage
Sri Lanka has been placed in Group B alongside Bangladesh and Scotland.
The tournament organisers have divided the 12 participating teams into four groups of three.
Each team will play its two group opponents before progressing to the next stage according to its position in the group.
The group winners will advance to the Cup semi-finals. Teams finishing second will enter the Plate competition, while those finishing third will compete in the Bowl competition.
For Sri Lanka, the first stage will therefore consist of matches against Bangladesh and Scotland.
Dates: 30 October to 1 November
Venue: Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground, Kowloon
Sri Lanka’s group: Bangladesh and Scotland
Squad captain: Sangeeth Cooray
A different format from international T20 cricket
The Hong Kong Sixes uses six players per side, with each innings limited to six overs.
Its bowling arrangements also differ from conventional T20 cricket, with the overs distributed among several players.
The shorter format places considerable responsibility on each member of the playing six. Teams have fewer overs to recover from early wickets or expensive bowling spells.
Sri Lanka has selected seven players for the tournament, providing one additional squad member beyond the six required on the field.
The selection announcement did not provide individual player roles, a designated wicketkeeper or a detailed explanation of the selection criteria.
The tournament falls between Sri Lanka’s international commitments
The Hong Kong Sixes takes place during a period in which Sri Lanka’s senior men’s side has international commitments in Pakistan.
The national team’s October programme includes a T20I series and a one-day triangular tournament, followed by two Test matches in November.
The first Test against Pakistan is scheduled to begin on November 9 in Rawalpindi.
Sri Lanka Cricket has appointed Kusal Mendis as Test captain, following Dhananjaya de Silva’s decision to step down from the position.
The Test squad also includes Pathum Nissanka, whose participation remains subject to medical clearance. Lakbima News reported on his selection status on October 17.
The Hong Kong tournament will be completed before the Pakistan Test series begins.
Sri Lanka’s separate squad will open its campaign against Bangladesh and Scotland, with its subsequent fixtures determined by the group-stage results.
