Sri Lanka decide to ring changes

World Cup runners-up Sri Lanka have named a much changed squad for a three-match series against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi later this month.

Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas and Kumar Sangakkara will all be absent playing county cricket in England.

And the selectors have left out former skipper Marvan Atapattu and seam bowler Nuwan Kulasekera.

Among the new faces are uncapped opener Malintha Warnapura and seam bowler Ishara Amarasinghe.

"Malintha deserves the break. He's done exceptionally well with the 'A' team and his choice was automatic," said chief selector Asantha de Mel.

"Ishara bowls at a good pace and he's got the talent - we want to see how he goes. He's like Lasith Malinga, unusual action and troubles batsmen often."

Only nine members of the World Cup squad will be involved in the series, which includes matches on 18, 20 and 22 May.

Wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene, who played the last of his three one-day internationals four years ago, will replace Sangakkara and there are also recalls for batting prospect Chamara Kapugedara and leg-spinner Kaushal Lokuarachchi.

The decision to leave out Atapattu is an indication that the 36-year-old's international career may be drawing to a close, at least as far as one-day cricket is concerned, although De Mel insisted the door was still open for him to return.

"Marvan will be considered in the future, but for this series we thought of going with a couple of young guys," De Mel added.

Sri Lanka squad: Mahela Jayawardene (Captain) Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, Chamara Silva, TM Dilshan, Farveez Maharoof, Dilhara Fernando, Malinga Bandara, Lasith Malinga, Malintha Warnapura, Prasanna Jayawardene, Ruchira Perera, Ishara Amarasinghe, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Chamara Kapugedara.