Live Update: Nissanka’s return headlines SL’s Test squad against Pakistan Pasindu Sooriyabandara retains his place ahead of Lahiru Udara while keeper Anjala Bandara could make his debut The three who matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins The three who matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins, India vs Australia, World Cup, Chennai, October 8, 2023 The smile of a champion – Mohammed Siraj picked up five wickets in a ten-ball period, India vs Sri Lanka, Asia Cup final, Colombo, September 17, 2023 Alyssa Healy poses with the trophy after Australia retained the Ashes, England vs Australia, 3rd ODI, Women’s Ashes, Taunton, July 18, 2023 A general view of the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Pakistan v Sri Lanka, 3rd match, Jaipur, October 17, 2006 A general view of the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Punjab Kings vs Delhi Citals, IPL 2024, Mullanpur, March 23, 2024 The Haryana Cricket Association’s Bansi Lal Stadium in Lahli, Haryana v Rajasthan, 1st semi-final, Ranji Trophy 2011-12, Rohtak, 1st day, January 10, 2012 Shane Warne bowls the first Test match ball under lights.
Australia v New Zealand 2nd Test, Day One, at the WACA, Perth, Thursday November 20th 1997 Rishabh Pant played the sort of shots one expects of him, Sri Lanka vs India, 2nd Test, Colombo, 2nd day, August 24, 2026 Bowling coach Eric Simons warms players up before the game, Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Chennai Super Kings, IPL 2023, Bengaluru, ril 17, 2023 In hunt of their 43rd Ranji Trophy title, Mumbai have a new ctain, one who is hungry for success after re-establishing himself in the setup Siddhesh Lad celebrates his century, Mumbai vs Puducherry, Ranji Trophy, 2nd day, Mumbai, November 18, 2025 The Gujarat bowler wants to play his first full red-ball domestic season since 2020, and pass on his lessons to the team’s youngsters from his ’15-16 years of trial and error’ Harshal Patel peals successfully for an lbw, India vs South Africa, 1st T20I, Thiruvananthuram, September 28, 2022 Matt Renshaw is having the game of his life, while the bowlers have plied consistent pressure on SA Matt Renshaw used his reach to play the sweep, South Africa vs Australia, 1st Test, Durban, 4th day, October 12, 2026 It is very early in the summer but there are worrying signs after the home side’s performance against Australia in Durban Tristan Stubbs pulls behind square, South Africa vs Australia, 1st Test, Day 3, Durban, October 11, 2026 Steven Smith was struck on the helmet in the second innings, South Africa vs Australia, 1st Test, Durban, 4th day, October 12, 2026 Litton Das batted aggressively, Afghanistan vs Bangladesh, Only Test, Abu Dhabi, 4th day, October 12, 2026 Hasan Mahmud has now taken five-wicket hauls in four different countries, going where few bowlers – and not just from Bangladesh – have gone Hasan Mahmud wrecked Afghanistan’s tail, Afghanistan vs Bangladesh, Only Test, Abu Dhabi, 3rd day, October 11, 2026 He started slowly, showing Roston Chase the respect the bowler deserved, but Abhishek Sharma still got to his fifty off just 18 balls, messing with West Indies’ well-laid plans Abhishek Sharma scored heavily on the off side, India vs West Indies, 3rd T20I, Indore, October 11, 2026 On an Indore pitch whose low bounce made big hitting difficult, Abhishek Sharma’s 30-ball 69 ended up giving India an above-par total Arshdeep Singh celebrates after knocking over Sherfane Rutherford, India vs West Indies, 3rd T20I, Indore, October 11, 2026 Pakistan could make changes with the series in the bag, but they may also be tempted not to disrupt the in-form players’ rhythm Maaz Sadaqat raises a fine half-century, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 2nd T20I, Rawalpindi, October 11, 2026 Steven Smith was struck on the helmet in the second innings, South Africa vs Australia, 1st Test, Durban, 4th day, October 12, 2026 Totoa Auvaa of Saracens is at the centre of the fracas involving Gus Atkinson and Ben Stokes, June 9, 2026 Former ctain “more motivated than ever” to return to fitness after injury sustained during Sri Lanka series Jos Buttler had to retire hurt with a hamstring twinge, England vs Sri Lanka, 2nd ODI, Headingley, September 24, 2026 The USA left-arm seamer played for Delhi Citals in the inaugural edition when she became the first to take a five-for in the tournament Tara Norris made key incisions, Oval Invincibles vs London Spirit, Women’s Hundred, The Oval, August 15, 2023 It is very early in the summer but there are worrying signs after the home side’s performance against Australia in Durban Tristan Stubbs pulls behind square, South Africa vs Australia, 1st Test, Day 3, Durban, October 11, 2026 Pathum Nissanka scored his first Test century at home, Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, 1st Test, Galle, day 3, June 19 2025 Pathum Nissanka ‘s return to the red-ball fold provides a downtrodden Sri Lanka with a timely boost, while debuts are also in the offing for wicketkeeper Anjala Bandara and seamer Eshan Malinga after both were named in Sri Lanka’s 15-man squad for the upcoming two-Test series against Pakistan. The 22-year-old Bandara is tipped to make the playing XI following Kusal Mendis’ promotion to ctain, with the longtime Test keeper now likely to play solely as a specialist batter. Malinga’s inclusion is less certain, with Asitha Fernando , Lahiru Kumara , Milan Rathnayaka and Dilshan Madushanka – who returns to the squad having been omitted from the one named for the second Test against India – all in line to make up Sri Lanka’s pace contingent.
Dinesh Chandimal , who missed the second India Test with an injury, is also in the squad. Making way are Kamil Mishara and Sahan Arachchige – both of whom had drafted in for the second Test against India – as well as Lahiru Udara , Niroshan Dickwella and Vishwa Fernando . Malinga’s inclusion comes as Sri Lanka’s red-ball fast-bowling stocks had been waning.
Former skipper Dhananjaya, who has been retained in the squad, had been vocal during the India tour of Sri Lanka’s need for more express seamers in the playing XI – aside from Lahiru Kumara, who is cable of clocking speeds in the 140kph range, most other oons tend to veer around the low 130s. Malinga is certainly cable of matching Kumara on the speed gun, and that could point towards a potential first Test c. Bandara has been a player of genuine promise since making his debut in 2022, with his 31 first-class matches fetching 2239 runs at an average 65.85.
There had been a clamour among fans for The Colombo CC keeper to be included in the squad to face India, but that spot was eventually taken by Dickwella. The rest of the squad pans out as expected, with Nissanka’s return the headline. Pasindu Sooriyabandara , who made his debut earlier this year against India, retains his place ahead of the more experienced Udara.
However if Bandara does take up wicketkeeping duties as expected, it Dhananjaya could be the odd man out, with Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sonal Dinusha and Kusal Mendis all assured a spot in the playing XI. Sri Lanka have two spin bowling oons in Prabath Jayasuriya and Keshara Nuwantha. Pathum Nissanka, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sonal Dinusha, Kusal Mendis (ct), Dhananjaya De Silva, Anjala Bandara, Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Rathnayaka, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga Pasindu Sooriyabandara retains his place ahead of Lahiru Udara while keeper Anjala Bandara could make his debut Pathum Nissanka scored his first Test century at home, Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, 1st Test, Galle, day 3, June 19 2025 Pasindu Sooriyabandara retains his place ahead of Lahiru Udara while keeper Anjala Bandara could make his debut Pasindu Sooriyabandara retains his place ahead of Lahiru Udara while keeper Anjala Bandara could make his debut Pathum Nissanka last played a Test in June, against West Indies • Sri Lanka Cricket
