Pathum Nissanka ruled out of Pakistan Tests due to hamstring injury; replacement named

Pathum Nissanka Ruled Out of Sri Lanka’s Pakistan Test Series

Sri Lanka will begin its two-match Test series in Pakistan without opening batter Pathum Nissanka, who has been ruled out while recovering from a left hamstring injury. The Cricket Selection Committee has called up Lahiru Udara as his replacement for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) fixtures, which start on November 9.

Nissanka was initially named in Sri Lanka’s 15-player squad subject to medical clearance. However, his recovery has not progressed enough for him to return to international cricket. Udara, already in Pakistan with the Sri Lankan ODI squad, will now join the Test group as the team prepares for a demanding away series.

The change is significant for Sri Lanka’s batting plans. Nissanka has established himself as a dependable top-order option in Test cricket, while Udara will have an opportunity to strengthen his place in the red-ball setup. His selection also gives the team a replacement who is already acclimatised to local conditions and travelling with the squad.

Hamstring Injury Delays Nissanka’s Return

Nissanka suffered the injury during Sri Lanka’s tour of England in September. He was initially expected to recover in time for the team’s subsequent tri-series commitments, but he was unable to make his international return. With the Pakistan Tests approaching, the selectors have opted not to risk bringing him back before he is fully fit.

The 28-year-old has played 19 Tests, scoring 1,310 runs in 33 innings at an average of 42.26. His record includes four centuries and seven half-centuries, with a highest score of 187. Those numbers underline the value of his presence at the top of the order, where a strong start can help Sri Lanka manage Pakistan’s pace and spin attacks.

Nissanka’s most recent Test appearance came against the West Indies at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on June 25, 2026. He made two runs in the first innings and three in the second as Sri Lanka lost the match. His absence from the Pakistan series, however, is injury-related rather than a reflection of that performance.

Lahiru Udara Gets Another Test Opportunity

Udara brings a mix of recent international exposure and promising Test returns. He has represented Sri Lanka in five Test matches and seven T20Is, including the recently completed T20I series against Pakistan. He has also featured in Sri Lanka’s recent Test assignments against the West Indies and India.

In five Tests, Udara has scored 313 runs at an average of 39.13. His highest score is 188, made against the West Indies in Antigua in July 2026. That innings demonstrated his ability to bat for long periods and convert a start into a substantial score—an important quality in conditions where patience and concentration can be decisive.

Udara is yet to make his ODI debut, but his wider domestic record offers further context. He has scored 3,017 runs in 102 matches at an average of 32.09, including three centuries and 21 half-centuries. The Pakistan series provides another chance to show that his domestic consistency can translate into sustained contributions at Test level.

For Sri Lanka, the selection change creates a useful but challenging opportunity. Udara will need to adapt quickly to the demands of the opening position, while the rest of the batting order may be asked to provide extra stability. Whether he can make the most of the call-up will be one of the key storylines—and a notable prediction point—heading into the first Test.

WTC Points Add Importance to the Pakistan Tour

Sri Lanka’s tour carries more than bilateral significance, with both Tests counting toward the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle. Sri Lanka sit seventh in the standings, while Pakistan are ninth. Both sides will be looking to collect valuable points and improve their position, making each session and each result important in the broader competition.

The visitors will begin with a three-day warm-up match at Islamabad Club from November 4 to 6. The fixture should help Sri Lanka’s players adjust to the pitches and conditions before the opening Test. For Udara in particular, the warm-up could provide valuable time in the middle as he settles into his new role.

The first Test is scheduled for Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from November 9 to 13. The teams will then move to Lahore for the second Test at Gaddafi Stadium, which runs from November 17 to 21. Kusal Mendis will lead Sri Lanka, taking charge of his first Test series as captain.

Sri Lanka’s squad also includes experienced batters Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis. Their experience will be important in supporting a reshaped opening combination and managing the pressure of an away series. The balance between senior leadership and emerging options could prove central to Sri Lanka’s prospects.

Updated Sri Lanka Test Squad

Kusal Mendis (captain), 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.

With Nissanka unavailable, Sri Lanka must quickly finalise its opening plans ahead of the Rawalpindi Test. Udara’s recent experience in Pakistan may help him settle in, but the challenge will be to turn that familiarity into runs against a competitive home attack. The series prediction will depend in part on how effectively Sri Lanka adapts to the conditions, protects its top order and converts promising starts into substantial first-innings totals.