Sri Lanka have named a new captain for their upcoming away Test series against Pakistan, with Kusal Mendis set to take charge of the side in the two-match ICC World Test Championship (WTC) assignment. Former skipper Dhananjaya de Silva, who recently stepped down from the leadership role, has retained his place in the 15-member squad announced on Tuesday.Mendis, 31, already leads Sri Lanka in ODIs and T20Is and will now take over the Test captaincy from the 35-year-old de Silva. The experienced all-rounder decided to relinquish the position a few days ago, saying he wanted to “pass the mantle to the next generation”.The upcoming series will mark Mendis’ first assignment as Sri Lanka’s Test captain. The visitors will play two Tests in Pakistan from November 9, with Rawalpindi and Lahore hosting the matches as both sides look to improve their positions in the ongoing WTC cycle.
Nissanka included subject to fitness; Madushanka returns
Batter Pathum Nissanka has been named in the squad, subject to regaining full fitness before the opening Test. He sustained a hamstring injury during Sri Lanka’s ODI series against England last month, leaving his availability for the Pakistan tour uncertain.There is also a recall for left-arm fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka, while Eshan Malinga has earned a place in the touring party. Uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Anjala Bandara has been included, too, after impressive returns in first-class cricket.The 22-year-old has scored 2,239 runs in 46 first-class innings at an average of 65.85, including seven centuries and seven half-centuries. His highest score is an unbeaten 200.However, opener Lahiru Udara, who struck 188 against the West Indies in June, has been left out. Wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella has also failed to make the cut.
Sri Lanka seek WTC revival against Pakistan
Sri Lanka occupy seventh place in the WTC standings with a points percentage of 33.33, having recorded one win, two defeats and three draws in the current cycle.Pakistan, meanwhile, are at the bottom with a points percentage of 4.63 after two wins and seven defeats. They will look to recover from their recent struggles, including a 0-3 Test series defeat against England in the UK.Sri Lanka will also be keen to bounce back after losing 0-1 to India at home, although they managed to secure a draw in the second Test to avoid a series whitewash.
- Sri Lanka squad: Kusal Mendis (c), Pathum Nissanka, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sonal Dinusha, Dhananjaya De Silva, Anjala Bandara, Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Rathnayaka, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga.