Sri Lanka have confirmed that star batter Pathum Nissanka will miss the upcoming ICC World Test Championship series against Pakistan as he continues his recovery from injury. Lahiru Udara has been named as his replacement for the two-Test series, which begins in Rawalpindi on 9 November.
Nissanka was included in Sri Lanka’s original Test squad subject to fitness clearance, but he has been unable to recover in time for the series. The injury also ruled him out of Sri Lanka’s recent white-ball assignments in Pakistan, namely the T20I series and the ODI tri-series against England and the hosts.
The island nation recently completed the second-highest run chase in ODI history against England during that tri-series.
Udara will join the Test squad ahead of the series, having already been part of Sri Lanka’s ODI squad for the tri-series. He has previously represented Sri Lanka in Test and T20I cricket, and he scored a career-best 188 during the World Test Championship series against the West Indies earlier in 2026.
Series Details
Sri Lanka, led by Kusal Mendis, will begin their two-match Test series against Pakistan on 9 November at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The second Test is scheduled to take place in Lahore from 17 November.
Sri Lanka Test Squad
Kusal Mendis (c), Anjala Bandara, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya De Silva, Sonal Dinusha, Asitha Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga, Kamindu Mendis, Keshara Nuwantha, Milan Rathnayaka, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Lahiru Udara
Schedule
First Test: 9-13 November, Rawalpindi
Second Test: 17-21 November, Lahore