Pathum Nissanka has been selected for the first Test match against Pakistan
Sri Lanka has recalled Pathum Nissanka in their squad of Test players in the opening Test match against Pakistan. Nissanka was a player in just three Tests with Sri Lanka, last featured in the same format the year before against Australia in the home arena.
The opener was on top form in the World Cup qualifiers, smashing several hundred during the successful tournament of Sri Lanka. Alongside Nissanka, player Kasun Rajitha was also named to the squad of 16, and the selection committee has decided to name this squad for only the opening game of the series of two tests.
Lasith Embuldeniya, who didn’t play against Ireland in recent times in the home arena, was dismissed. A few players, such as Asitha Fernando Dushan Hemantha, and Milan Priyanath Rathnayake, were also taken off the squad, which defeated Ireland with a 2-0 win in the April series.
Dilshan Madushanka, who was astonished at the beginning of his ODI playing career this season, has secured a place in the team for the more extended format and could be set to play his first game.
As Praveen Jayawickrama is brought back into the Test squad, with the last time he will play in May 2022, the uncapped Lakshitha Manasinghe will be cut following an outstanding performance against Pakistan during the tour match in the recent tour game.
The Test match in the first Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan will start on the 16th of July (July 16) in Galle ahead of the teams’ move to Colombo for the next and final test, which is scheduled to begin on July 24.
Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (C), Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Matthews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Praveen Jayawickrama, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka, Vishwa Fernando, Lakshitha Manasinghe
