Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka has been ruled out of the upcoming two-match Test series against Pakistan due to a left hamstring injury. The Cricket Selection Committee has named opener Lahiru Udara as his replacement for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) fixtures, which begin on November 9.
Pathum Nissanka sustained the injury during Sri Lanka’s tour of England in September. It forced him to miss the T20I series against Pakistan and the ongoing ODI tri-series. The right-handed batter was initially expected to recover in time for the tri-series, but he was unable to return to international cricket.
Lahiru Udara Replaces Pathum Nissanka in Sri Lanka Test Squad
The selection committee initially included Pathum Nissanka in the 15-member Test squad, subject to medical clearance. However, his continued recovery has ruled him out of the Pakistan series. Udara, who is already in Pakistan with Sri Lanka’s ODI squad, will join the Test team.
"Pathum Nissanka will miss the upcoming two-match Test series against Pakistan, as he is yet to recover from his left hamstring injury. The Cricket Selection Committee has named Lahiru Udara as his replacement," Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed in an official statement.
🚨 Sri Lanka Tour of Pakistan 2026: Team Updates Pathum Nissanka will miss the upcoming two-match Test series against Pakistan, as he is yet to recover from his left hamstring injury. The Cricket Selection Committee has named Lahiru Udara as his replacement. Udara is already in Pakistan as part of Sri Lanka’s ODI squad.
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) October 27, 2026
Pathum Nissanka has played 19 Test matches, scoring 1,310 runs in 33 innings at an average of 42.26, including four centuries and seven half-centuries, with his highest score of 187.
He last played a Test against the West Indies on June 25, 2026, at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. He scored 2 runs in the first innings and 3 in the second as Sri Lanka lost the match.
Udara has represented Sri Lanka in five Tests and seven T20Is, including the recently concluded T20I series against Pakistan. He also featured in the team’s recent Test assignments against the West Indies and India.
Udara has scored 313 runs in five Test matches at an average of 39.13, including one century and no half-centuries, with his highest score of 188 against the West Indies in Antigua in July 2026.
Udara is yet to make his ODI debut. He has scored 3,017 runs in 102 matches at an average of 32.09, including three centuries and 21 half-centuries. He has another opportunity to establish himself in Sri Lanka’s red-ball setup.
Sri Lanka Begin Pakistan Test Tour With WTC Points at Stake
Sri Lanka will begin their preparations with a three-day warm-up match at Islamabad Club from November 4 to 6. The two-match Test series forms part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle, giving both teams an opportunity to improve their positions in the standings.
The first Test will take place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from November 9 to 13. The teams will then travel to Lahore for the second Test at the Gaddafi Stadium from November 17 to 21. Kusal Mendis will lead Sri Lanka in his first Test series as captain.
Sri Lanka are at seventh in the WTC standings, while Pakistan are ninth. The visiting squad includes experienced players Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis.
Updated Sri Lanka Test Squad:
Kusal Mendis (c), Anjala Bandara, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sonal Dinusha, Asitha Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga, Kamindu Mendis, Lahiru Udara, Keshara Nuwantha, Milan Rathnayaka and Pasindu Sooriyabandara.
