Asitha Fernando To Replace Suranga Lakmal For The Pakistan Series

Ahead of Sri Lanka’s tour to Pakistan, the visitors suffered a significant blow as the experienced fast bowler Suranga Lakmal was ruled out with dengue fever. The 22-year old Asitha Fernando will replace the right-arm fast bowler in the squad. The Sri Lankan team will leave for Pakistan today (8th December 2019) to take part in the two-match series, held under the ICC World Test Championship.

Read More: Sri Lanka Announce Test Squad For Pakistan Series, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal Returns

The two-match Test series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will begin on December 11th in Rawalpindi. Asitha Fernando will be available for selection only for the second Test, as he needs to complete the Visa issues to travel t Pakistan. Meanwhile, Lakmal will require at least a couple of months to recover fully from the disease he is suffering.

Suranga Lakmal is down with dengue – Ashley de Silva

Lakmal was due to depart Pakistan on Sunday. It would have been his first visit since militants attacked him and his teammates on the way to the Gaddafi Stadium in 2009. In the ghastly attack, seven locals were killed while several Sri Lanka players suffered severe injuries.

“It was presumed that Suranga has tonsils, but now the specialists have confirmed it is dengue. He is down with dengue and will not be travelling with the team,” confirmed SLC CEO Ashley de Silva.

Unlike the limited-overs tour, the Sri Lanka team has announced full-strength squad for the Pakistan tour. Dimuth Karunaratne, who hesitated to travel to Pakistan earlier this season, will be leading the side. The experienced Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal have also made a comeback into the team which will strengthen the middle-order.

Read More – Pakistan squad for Sri Lanka series

The two Tests were initially scheduled to be hosted at a neutral venue because of security concerns, but will now take place in Pakistan following the success of the limited-overs format in the country.

Pakistan squad:

Dimuth Karunaratne (Captain), Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Janith Perera, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dhananjaya De Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Dilruwan Perera, Lasith Embuldeniya, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Lakshan Sandakan, Asitha Fernando (available for 2nd Test)