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The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team opener Pathum Nissanka is doubtful for the forthcoming T20I series against Pakistan. He was recently playing in the series against England and looked uncomfortable in the third match after playing the whole ODI series with a niggle. This is a big setback for the Lankan Lions ahead of the Pakistan series and also the Tri-Series.
Sri Lanka did not have the best of times in England as they lost the T20I series 3-0. Then they fought in the ODI series but lost 2-1 after losing the third match by 223 runs. The second-string side, which is in Japan, recently qualified for the semi-finals after the match was abandoned at the Asian Games.
Pathum Nissanka ruled out
As per reports from DailyCricketSL, Pathum Nissanka is uncertain for the T20I series against Pakistan due to a hamstring issue. He played with a niggle in the third and final ODI series against England. Sri Lanka hopes he recovers in time for the triangular ODI series with Pakistan and England. Nissanka has been a crucial member of the Sri Lanka setup across formats.
News | Pathum Nissanka
— Nibraz Ramzan (@nibraz88cricket) September 29, 2026
Pathum Nissanka is doubtful for the T20 series against Pakistan 🇵🇰 after a hamstring injury.
He played through a niggle in the recent ODIs vs England and looked restricted in the third match.
Sri Lanka hope he recovers in time for the triangular ODI series… pic.twitter.com/tnvsAa1j9c
Pathum Nissanka also missed the series against India in August 2026 as he failed to recover from wrist surgery, which he underwent in London. This is a serious concern for the batter who has just fully recovered from the wrist injury. Sri Lanka would want him to recover quickly as they leave for Pakistan on October 4th.
Pathum Nissanka's recent form
The wicket-keeper batter’s recent form in September 2026 ODIs in England saw quieter scores (1, 25, and 27); his preceding T20I numbers show aggressive intent and healthy strike rates well above 150. He failed in the three T20Is as well, failing to register a fifty, with two 30+ scores, and in one match he scored 12.
He had been 8th in the T20I rankings, moving down two places, and in the ODI rankings he moved down three places after poor form. He entered the record books by becoming the first Sri Lankan to surpass 1000 ODI runs in 2023. Pathum Nissanka also scored a double hundred in 2024 against Afghanistan, becoming the first batter to achieve it.
Sri Lanka handed a hefty defeat
Coming to the third and final ODI match against England, the Three Lions won the toss and elected to bat first. Tom Banton scored 126 runs off 105 deliveries; he smacked 16 fours and five sixes, and captain Harry Brook played a knock of 77 runs as the home side posted 355/7.
While coming to chase, Sri Lanka lost wickets at regular intervals as no batter could get past the score of 40 runs in the run chase, and they were bowled out for 132 runs. Handing England their fifth-biggest victory margin in ODIs in terms of runs.
England’s biggest victory margins in ODIs by runs
342 runs vs SA, Southampton, 2025
242 runs vs AUS, Trent Bridge, 2018
238 runs vs WI, Edgbaston, 2025
232 runs vs NED, Amstelveen, 2022
223 runs vs SL, The Oval, 2026
Biggest defeat margins for SL in ODIs (by runs)
317 runs vs India, Thiruvananthapuram, 2023
302 runs vs India, Mumbai WS, CWC 2023
258 runs vs South Africa, Paarl, 2012
232 runs vs Australia, Adelaide, 1985
223 runs vs England, The Oval, 2026
217 runs vs Pakistan, Sharjah, 2002
