Veteran fast bowler Lasith Malinga returned to the national team after a gap of one year as Sri Lankan selectors picked him in the 16-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup tournament in the UAE.

The 35-year-old last featured in ODIs in September last year against India at home. Throughout that series, Malinga looked down on pace and precision.

However, selectors were impressed by his bowling during the ongoing domestic T20 series. He was also among the wickets in the recently concluded Global T20 League in Canada. There, playing for the Montreal Tigers, Malinga was the third-highest wicket taker with 13 scalps from six games.

Malinga has taken 301 ODI wickets since his ODI debut in 2004. In the T20 format, he has taken 90 scalps.

Sri Lanka squad: Angelo Mathews (captain), Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Upul Tharanga, Dinesh Chandimal, Danushka Gunathilaka, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Dhanajaya de Silva, Akila Dananjaya, Dilruwan Perera, Amila Aponso, Kasun Rajitha, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera and Lasith Malinga