Pathum Nissanka out of Pakistan Test series, Lahiru Udara named replacement

Pathum Nissanka in Sri Lanka. (AP/PTI) Sri Lanka suffered a defeat ahead of their two-Test series against Pakistan, with opener Pathum Nissanka ruled out after failing to recover from a left hamstring injury.Nissanka was included in the original 15-member squad with the condition that he would travel only after a medical examination. However, Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed that the opener had not recovered enough to take part in the series.The 27-year-old suffered an injury during Sri Lanka’s tour of England in September, forcing him to miss the subsequent T20I series against Pakistan. He was later named in the squad for the ongoing ODI tri-series as a conditional selection, but was dropped after failing to prove his fitness.The latest injury setback also delays Nissanka’s return to Test cricket. He missed Sri Lanka’s home Test series against India in August due to a wrist injury.

Lahiru Air replaces Nissanka

Sri Lanka named Lahira Udara as Nissanka’s replacement for the two-Test assignment. Udara is already in Pakistan with the one-day team, having originally joined the squad as a replacement for Nissanko for the tri-series.The opener has appeared in five Tests for Sri Lanka and was part of the team’s two most recent assignments in the format against the West Indies and India. He made a significant contribution during the series against the West Indies, scoring 188 in Antigua.The two-Test series against Pakistan is part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship and will begin on November 9. The matches will be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore, with both teams aiming to improve their positions in the table.

Kusal Mendis will lead Sri Lanka

Kusal Mendis will captain Sri Lanka after being named captain earlier this month. Seasoned batsmen Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis are also in the squad.Dilshan Madushanka earned a recall while Eshan Malinga and Anjala Bandara also received invitations to the series.Sri Lanka are currently ranked seventh in the World Cup rankings, with Pakistan in ninth. The upcoming matches offer both sides an opportunity to gain ground in the competition as the hosts prepare to welcome the visitors for two Tests.Updated Sri Lanka squad for Pakistan Tests: 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 UMadhirudar, EE