Sri Lanka have announced a 15-member squad for their upcoming two-match Test series against Pakistan, with Kusal Mendis set to lead the side in his first assignment as the national team’s Test captain. The series will begin on November 9 in Rawalpindi, with the second Test scheduled to take place in Lahore from November 17.
The announcement, made by Sri Lanka Cricket on October 13, marks a new chapter for the island nation’s red-ball team following Dhananjaya de Silva’s decision to step down as Test captain. Mendis, who has already led Sri Lanka in limited-overs cricket, now faces the challenge of guiding the team through an important assignment in the ICC World Test Championship 2025–2027 cycle.
The selection has also attracted attention because of the inclusion of uncapped players, the return of left-arm fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka and the fitness uncertainty surrounding opening batter Pathum Nissanka. Sri Lanka will be hoping these selections provide the right balance of experience and fresh talent against a Pakistan side playing at home.
Kusal Mendis takes charge after Dhananjaya de Silva’s resignation
Kusal Mendis’ appointment as Sri Lanka’s Test captain comes after Dhananjaya de Silva stepped down from the position earlier this month. De Silva had been in charge since January 2024 and decided to make way for the next generation of leadership.
Despite relinquishing the captaincy, De Silva has retained his place in the 15-member squad. His experience remains valuable to a team that will need reliable middle-order batting and all-round contributions in challenging overseas conditions.
Mendis, 31, brings considerable international experience to the role. According to Reuters, he had played 75 Test matches, scoring 4,836 runs at an average of 36.36, including 10 centuries and 23 half-centuries at the time of his appointment. His familiarity with international pressure should help, although leading a Test team brings different responsibilities from captaining a side in shorter formats.
The upcoming Pakistan tour will offer an early indication of how Mendis intends to approach red-ball cricket as captain. His decisions around batting combinations, bowling rotations and the management of key players could prove important over two demanding Tests.
Eshan Malinga and Anjala Bandara included in the squad
One of the notable features of Sri Lanka’s Test squad is the inclusion of fast bowler Eshan Malinga, who is yet to make his Test debut. Malinga has already represented Sri Lanka in limited-overs cricket, and his selection gives him an opportunity to push for a place in the red-ball setup.
His inclusion could add another pace option to Sri Lanka’s bowling attack. However, selection in the squad does not guarantee a debut, and the team management will assess the conditions and the balance of the attack before finalising the playing XI.
Wicketkeeper-batter Anjala Bandara has also earned a place in the 15-member squad. He is yet to play an international match and will be looking to make an impression during the tour. His selection comes as Niroshan Dickwella misses out.
Bandara’s opportunity is particularly significant because a Test debut requires patience, concentration and the ability to handle long periods at the crease. If selected for a match, he will have the chance to demonstrate whether his domestic performances can translate to the international stage.
Sri Lanka have also recalled left-arm fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka, providing the selectors with another option for the pace attack. His ability to generate movement could be useful, depending on the conditions in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
Pathum Nissanka’s fitness remains a concern
While Sri Lanka have named a 15-member squad, Pathum Nissanka’s availability is still uncertain. The selectors have included the opening batter, but Sri Lanka Cricket has clarified that he will travel with the team only if he receives medical clearance.
Nissanka’s fitness will be an important factor in determining Sri Lanka’s top-order combination. A dependable opening partnership can make a major difference in Test cricket, particularly away from home, where the first session can be challenging for batters.
If Nissanka is unavailable, Sri Lanka may need to adjust their opening combination and consider how best to distribute responsibility among the top-order players. The squad includes experienced names such as Dinesh Chandimal and Kamindu Mendis, alongside younger options who could be asked to take on greater responsibility.
According to the official announcement, the other selected players are considered fit. The final playing combination, however, will depend on conditions, form and the team’s assessment closer to each Test.
Full Sri Lanka squad for the Pakistan Test series
Sri Lanka have selected the following 15 players for the two-Test tour:
- Kusal Mendis (captain)
- Pathum Nissanka (subject to medical clearance)
- 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
The squad combines established Test performers with players who could make their first appearance in the format. Sri Lanka’s management will now have to decide which combination offers the strongest balance between batting depth, pace and spin.
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Test series schedule
The two-match series is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–2027 cycle. Both matches will be played in Pakistan, giving the home side the advantage of familiar venues and conditions.
First Test: November 9–13, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Second Test: November 17–21, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
The short gap between the two matches means recovery, workload management and quick tactical adjustments could be important. Sri Lanka will also have to adapt to the playing conditions at two different venues.
Pakistan will be keen to make home advantage count, while Sri Lanka will look to begin Mendis’ captaincy tenure with a competitive performance. The outcome could have implications for both sides’ campaigns in the current World Test Championship cycle.
What to expect from Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s selection reflects a mix of continuity and change. Mendis will take over the leadership role, De Silva remains part of the playing group, and emerging players such as Malinga and Bandara have an opportunity to establish themselves at Test level.
The biggest questions heading into the series concern Nissanka’s fitness, the final make-up of the bowling attack and whether the new captain can quickly settle on a reliable combination. Sri Lanka will need their experienced batters to deliver consistently while their bowlers make the most of any assistance offered by the pitches.
For Pakistan, defending home conditions and putting pressure on Sri Lanka’s relatively fresh leadership group will be key priorities. The contest promises an interesting test of adaptability, patience and tactical decision-making.
Stay tuned to ROKOCRICKET for the latest cricket news, squad updates, match previews, schedules and results. Subscribe to our updates so you don’t miss the major developments ahead of the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Test series.
