Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka has been ruled out of the upcoming two-match Test series in Pakistan after failing to recover from a left hamstring injury, Sri Lanka Cricket said. He had been named in the original 15-man squad but was due to travel only if declared medically fit. That clearance did not come in time.
Injury setback and Test comeback delayed
Nissanka suffered the hamstring problem during Sri Lanka’s white-ball tour of England in September. He was later ruled out of the T20 Internationals against Pakistan. He was then listed as a conditional pick for the ongoing one-day international (ODI) tri-series — meaning he would play only if fit — but again failed to pass the medical checks.
The latest call further delays his return to Test cricket. He also missed Sri Lanka’s home Test series against India in August because of a wrist injury.
Lahiru Udara named as replacement
Fellow opener Lahiru Udara has been named in Nissanka’s place for the Pakistan Tests. Udara is already in the country with the one-day squad, having earlier replaced Nissanka for the tri-series as well.
Udara has played five Tests. He featured in Sri Lanka’s two most recent Test assignments, against the West Indies and India, and scored 188 against the West Indies in Antigua.
Sri Lanka’s updated Test squad for Pakistan is: Kusal Mendis (captain), Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sonal Dinusha, Dhananjaya de Silva, Anjala Bandara, Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Rathnayake, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga, and Lahiru Udara.
Series venues and World Test Championship
Pakistan and Sri Lanka will play two Tests in the current World Test Championship cycle — the global points table that ranks teams for the next championship final. The first match is in Rawalpindi from 9 to 13 November, and the second is in Lahore from 17 to 21 November. The series will also be Sri Lanka’s first in the format under new captain Kusal Mendis.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- August: Nissanka missed Sri Lanka’s home Test series against India with a wrist injury.
- September: He suffered a left hamstring injury on Sri Lanka’s white-ball tour of England.
- Later: He was ruled out of the T20 Internationals against Pakistan, then named as a conditional pick for the ODI tri-series before failing fitness checks again.
- Now: Sri Lanka Cricket confirms he will miss the Pakistan Tests; Lahiru Udara is named as replacement.
- 9–13 November: First Test scheduled in Rawalpindi.
- 17–21 November: Second Test scheduled in Lahore.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Sri Lanka ka opener Pathum Nissanka Pakistan ke do Test matches nahi khelega. Uske left hamstring mein chot thi jo abhi theek nahi hui. Us ki jagah Lahiru Udara khelega, jo pehle se Pakistan mein maujood hai. Series Rawalpindi aur Lahore mein November mein hogi.
