Sangakkara takes over Sri Lanka captaincy

Sri Lanka has named Kumar Sangakkara as captain for the World T20 tournament in England later this year, while Muttiah Muralitharan has been appointed his deputy in the provisional 25-member squad announced by the national selection committee.

Sri Lanka has named Kumar Sangakkara as captain for the World Twenty20 tournament in England later this year, while Muttiah Muralitharan has been appointed his deputy in the provisional 25-member squad announced by the national selection committee.

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The 31-year-old Sangakkara, vice-captain for three years, has played 80 tests and 246 one-day internationals. He succeeds Mahela Jayawardene, who stepped down as captain at the end of the two-test series in Pakistan which was abandoned last week after terrorists attacked the team's bus in Lahore.

Sri Lanka do not have any international fixtures until the World Twenty20 tournament which begins on June 5.

Their first match is against Australia on June 8 at Trent Bridge.