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Sri Lanka Call Up Malinga and Bandara for Pakistan

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Sri Lanka Call Up Malinga and Bandara for Pakistan

Sri Lanka has announced a revamped squad for its upcoming two-Test tour of Pakistan, featuring maiden call-ups for fast bowler Eshan Malinga and wicketkeeper Anjala Bandara. The team will be led by Kusal Mendis, who assumes the captaincy following the resignation of Dhananjaya de Silva. The selection committee has opted to drop wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella, who recently returned to the fold for the home series against India, while also excluding openers Lahiru Udara and Kamil Mishara and all-rounder Sahan Arachchige.

Eshan Malinga transitions to the Test squad after establishing himself in shorter formats, carrying a first-class record of 44 wickets across 19 matches at an average of 31.15. The 22-year-old Anjala Bandara earns his place after a prolific start to his first-class career, where he has maintained an impressive average of 65.85 over 31 matches, including seven half-centuries and seven hundreds, with a high score of 200 not out. Meanwhile, left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka makes a return to the side, and Dinesh Chandimal is back in contention after recovering from a concussion sustained in the first Test against India.

The fitness status of Pathum Nissanka remains a point of interest, as his inclusion is conditional upon passing medical evaluations before the tour. The spin bowling department will rely on Prabath Jayasuriya and Keshara Nuwantha, supported by all-rounder Sonal Dinusha. The pace unit, now bolstered by Malinga and Madushanka, also features Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, and Milan Rathnayake, with Vishwa Fernando omitted from this selection. Much like with the ODI squad for the preceding tri-series, Pathum Nissanka is a conditional selection and will travel only if declared medically fit.

These matches, scheduled for Rawalpindi from November 9-13 and Lahore from November 17-21, serve as vital fixtures in the World Test Championship. Sri Lanka currently holds seventh place with a percentage of points (PCT) of 33.33, while Pakistan sits at the bottom of the table with a PCT of 4.63.