Sri Lanka Faces Setback as Pathum Nissanka Withdraws from Test Series Against Pakistan
Sri Lankas Pathum Nissanka is out of the Test series against Pakistan due to injury. Lahiru Udara steps in as his replacement.
Colombo, October 27 (Daily Kiran) : Sri Lanka’s cricket team has suffered a significant blow ahead of their two-Test series against Pakistan. Opening batsman Pathum Nissanka has been ruled out due to a left hamstring injury.
Nissanka is still recovering from his injury, prompting Sri Lanka Cricket to announce Lahiru Udara as his replacement. The cricket board confirmed this decision on Tuesday.
In their statement, Sri Lanka Cricket noted, “Pathum Nissanka will not participate in the upcoming two-match Test series against Pakistan as he has not yet recovered from his left hamstring injury. The selection committee has included Lahiru Udara in his place. Udara is already in Pakistan as part of the ODI team.”
Nissanka was initially named in the squad, but his participation depended entirely on his fitness. Udara’s presence in Pakistan made his selection straightforward for the cricket board. In his Test career, Udara has scored 313 runs, including a century, with a highest score of 188.
This Test series is part of the ICC World Test Championship cycle. The first match is scheduled to begin on November 9 in Rawalpindi, followed by the second Test on November 17 in Lahore.
Kusal Mendis will lead the Sri Lankan team, which also includes experienced players like Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Kamindu Mendis. The squad features Dilshan Madushanka, Ishan Malinda, and Anjala Bandara as well.
Currently, Sri Lanka sits in seventh place in the World Test Championship standings, while Pakistan is in ninth. This upcoming series presents both teams with an opportunity to improve their positions in the competition.
Sri Lanka’s updated squad includes: Kusal Mendis (captain), Anjala Bandara, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sonal Dinusha, Asitha Fernando, Prabhat Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka, Ishan Malinda, Kamindu Mendis, Lahiru Udara, Keshara Senanayake, Milan Rathnayake, and Pasindu Suriyabandara.
