Pathum Nissanka ruled out of Pakistan Tests as Lahiru Udara named replacement

Nissanka misses out on Pakistan Tests

Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka has been ruled out of the upcoming two-match Test series in Pakistan, having failed to recover from a left hamstring injury. Nissanka was named in the original 15-man squad but was due to travel only if declared medically fit. A statement from Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed that he had not recovered in time for the series.

The 28-year-old suffered the injury during Sri Lanka's white-ball tour of England in September and was subsequently ruled out of the T20Is against Pakistan. He was named in the squad for the ongoing ODI tri-series as a conditional pick, but was eventually ruled out after failing to pass a fitness test.

The setback further stalls Nissanka's Test comeback. He also missed the home series against India in August with a wrist injury.

Udara steps in

Fellow opener Lahiru Udara has been named Nissanka's replacement for the Tests. Udara is already in Pakistan with the one-day squad, having also been named as Nissanka's replacement for the tri-series. He has played five Tests and featured in Sri Lanka's two most recent assignments in the format, against West Indies and India, scoring 188 against the former in Antigua.

Updated squad

Sri Lanka's updated squad for the 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 Madushanka, Eshan Malinga, Lahiru Udara.

Series schedule

Sri Lanka and Pakistan will face off in two Tests that form part of the current World Test Championship cycle. The first match takes place in Rawalpindi from November 9-13, followed by the second in Lahore from November 17-21. The series will mark Sri Lanka's first in the format under new captain Kusal Mendis.