The Sri Lanka squad vs Pakistan has been named for two Tests in November. Fast bowler Eshan Malinga and wicketkeeper Anjala Bandara have been called up, left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka has been recalled, and Niroshan Dickwella has been left out. Kusal Mendis returns for his first series as Test captain after Dhananjaya de Silva stepped down. The matches are part of the World Test Championship and will be played in Rawalpindi from 9 to 13 November and in Lahore from 17 to 21 November.
Who is in, and who is out
Malinga has been a regular in the shorter formats, but this is his first Test call-up. In 19 first-class matches, the long form of domestic cricket, he has taken 44 wickets at an average of 31.15.
Bandara, who is 22, replaces Dickwella. Dickwella was recalled for the home Tests against India in August, and the selection gives no reason for leaving him out now. Bandara's first-class record is an average of 65.85 after 31 games, with seven fifties, seven hundreds and a best of 200 not out.
Openers Lahiru Udara and Kamil Mishara have been dropped. Both played the second Test against India in Colombo. All-rounder Sahan Arachchige, who was called up for that Test, is out as well.
Dinesh Chandimal returns after he was substituted out of the first Test in Galle because of concussion. Pathum Nissanka is a conditional selection and will travel only if he is declared medically fit, as with the one-day squad for the tri-series before this tour.
Pace, spin and where Pakistan stand
The pace group is Milan Rathnayake, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Malinga and Madushanka. Vishwa Fernando has been dropped. Prabath Jayasuriya and Keshara Nuwantha are the frontline spin options, with all-rounder Sonal Dinusha, who had a breakout series against India.
Mendis captains the Sri Lanka squad for Pakistan tour for the first time, after de Silva stepped down. Sri Lanka are seventh in the World Test Championship, the ongoing points league for Test teams, with a points percentage of 33.33. Pakistan are last, with a points percentage of 4.63. Both Tests count in that table, so the Sri Lanka squad vs Pakistan arrives with the home side still seeking points from the bottom of the standings.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- August: Niroshan Dickwella was recalled for Sri Lanka's home Tests against India. In that series, Dinesh Chandimal was substituted out of the first Test in Galle with concussion, while Lahiru Udara and Kamil Mishara played the second Test in Colombo.
- 9 to 13 November: First Test, Rawalpindi, in the World Test Championship.
- 17 to 21 November: Second Test, Lahore, also in the championship.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Sri Lanka ne Pakistan ke do Test ke liye squad ka elan kar diya hai. Eshan Malinga pehli dafa Test team mein aaye hain, aur Anjala Bandara Niroshan Dickwella ki jagah shamil hain. Kusal Mendis pehli series Test captain ke taur par khelenge. Pehla Test Rawalpindi mein 9 se 13 November hai aur doosra Lahore mein 17 se 21 November hai.
