Sri Lanka have named a 15-man squad for the two-Test tour of Pakistan, with Pathum Nissanka returning from a wrist injury and Kusal Mendis leading the side for the first time. Cricbuzz reports Nissanka travels only if declared medically fit.
Sri Lanka have named a 15-man squad for their two-Test tour of Pakistan, ESPNcricinfo's Madushka Balasuriya reported on Tuesday 13 October. Pathum Nissanka returns to the red-ball fold, Kusal Mendis begins his stint as Test captain, and there are two uncapped faces in Anjala Bandara and Eshan Malinga.
| At a glance | Detail |
|---|---|
| What | Sri Lanka's 15-man squad for a two-Test series in Pakistan, part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-2027 cycle |
| Where and when | First Test in Rawalpindi, 9-13 November; second Test in Lahore, 17-21 November |
| WTC standings | Sri Lanka are 7th, Pakistan 9th |
| Squad headline | Pathum Nissanka back; Anjala Bandara and Eshan Malinga named; Dilshan Madushanka and Dinesh Chandimal recalled |
| Nissanka's fitness | Last played a Test in June against West Indies and missed the India tour in August with a wrist injury; Cricbuzz reports he travels only if declared medically fit |
| Captaincy | Kusal Mendis leads in Tests for the first time after Dhananjaya de Silva stepped down as skipper |
The full squad: Pathum Nissanka, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sonal Dinusha, Kusal Mendis (capt), Dhananjaya de Silva, Anjala Bandara, Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Rathnayaka, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka and Eshan Malinga.
The new faces: Bandara and Malinga
Anjala Bandara, a 22-year-old wicketkeeper from Colombo CC, is tipped for a spot in the playing XI. He arrives with 2,239 first-class runs at 65.85 from 31 matches, with seven fifties and seven hundreds, and a best of 200 not out.
Seamer Eshan Malinga earns a first Test call-up on the back of 44 wickets at 31.15 in 19 first-class matches. His pace could land him a debut cap in Rawalpindi or Lahore.
The returns: Nissanka, Madushanka and Chandimal
Nissanka is the headline. He last played a Test in June against West Indies and sat out the India tour in August while recovering from a wrist injury. Left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka is recalled after being left out of the second Test against India, and Dinesh Chandimal returns after the concussion substitute incident during the first Galle Test against India.
On the balance of the side, Prabath Jayasuriya and Keshara Nuwantha are the two spin options, while the pace attack is drawn from Lahiru Kumara, who can touch 140kph, Asitha Fernando, Milan Rathnayaka, Madushanka and Malinga. If Bandara keeps wicket, Dhananjaya de Silva could be the odd man out, with Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sonal Dinusha and Kusal Mendis described as assured of places.
Who misses out
Wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella is excluded. Opener Lahiru Udara is dropped despite scoring 188 against the West Indies in June, with Pasindu Sooriyabandara keeping his place ahead of him. Kamil Mishara and Sahan Arachchige, who were drafted in for the second India Test, are also out, as is seamer Vishwa Fernando.
The squad news is reported by ESPNcricinfo, with the details corroborated by Cricbuzz, the Express Tribune and Sri Lanka Cricket's media release. Read the full story on Cricinfo. Cricinfo.
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