Pathum Nissanka ruled out of Pakistan Tests; Lahiru Udara replaces him
Pathum Nissanka's hamstring injury has ruled him out of Sri Lanka's two-Test series in Pakistan, with Lahiru Udara called up as cover.
Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka has been ruled out of the two-Test series against Pakistan after failing to recover from a left hamstring injury. Lahiru Udara, already in Pakistan with the ODI squad, has been named as his replacement.
Nissanka sustained the injury during Sri Lanka's white-ball tour of England in September and also missed the preceding T20I series. He had been included in the Test squad subject to medical clearance.
The two-Test series begins on November 9 in Rawalpindi and forms part of the ICC World Test Championship. Kusal Mendis will captain the side, which sits seventh in the standings while Pakistan occupy ninth place.
CricHubb Take
Udara now has a narrow window to stake a permanent claim; if he scores runs in Rawalpindi and Lahore, Sri Lanka may finally stop cycling openers and settle on a combination before the next WTC cycle begins.