Due to a left hamstring injury that prevented him from passing a fitness test prior to the tour, right-handed opener Pathum Nissanka will not play in Sri Lanka’s two-match Test series in Pakistan. On October 27, 2026, Sri Lanka Cricket declared that Nissanka had been officially withdrawn from the original 15-man squad due to his failure to regain full fitness prior to departure.
It has been confirmed that Lahiru Udara will take his place for the test assignment. Udara was already in Pakistan as a member of the one-day team, having been substituted for Nissanka in the current ODI tri-series after the opener failed to meet the competition’s fitness requirements.
When Pathum Nissanka was on Sri Lanka’s white-ball tour of England in September 2026, the hamstring issue first surfaced. He was unable to play in the T20Is against Pakistan as a result of that setback. Due to a wrist injury that prevented him from playing in the home series against India in August 2026, his return to Test cricket has now been further delayed.
Why was Pathum Nissanka removed from the Test team?
Pathum Nissanka’s membership in the initial group of 15 was contingent rather than assured. His inclusion was contingent upon receiving a medical clearance from Sri Lanka Cricket, with the understanding that he would only join the touring party after being deemed fully fit. The board confirmed his withdrawal and formalized Udara’s inclusion as a direct replacement after he failed to meet the necessary fitness standards when evaluated prior to the Test series.
Pathum Nissanka’s left hamstring injury dates back to September 2026 during Sri Lanka’s white-ball tour of England. It prevented him from being an unconditional selection for the ODI tri-series and initially disqualified him from the T20I leg of the Pakistan tour. He has now been absent from international cricket in a number of formats and against a number of opponents for an extended amount of time due to his inability to pass the fitness test for the Tests.
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Udara participated in Sri Lanka’s two most recent Test assignments, which were against India and the West Indies. He has represented Sri Lanka in five Test matches. He scored 188 against the West Indies in Antigua, making it his most notable performance in the format. The selectors found it easy to move him to the Test group while he was in Pakistan with the one-day squad.
As part of the current World Test Championship cycle, Sri Lanka and Pakistan will play two Test matches. The first will take place in Rawalpindi from November 9–13, 2026, and the second will take place in Lahore from November 17–21, 2026. Additionally, this series will be Sri Lanka’s first Test match under Kusal Mendis’ captaincy.
Sri Lanka’s updated 15-member Test squad for the Pakistan series
Kusal Mendis (captain), Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sonal Dinusha, Dhananjaya de Silva, Anjala Bandara, Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Rathnayake, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga, Lahiru Udara.
