Nissanka Ruled Out of Pakistan Tests as Udara Earns Recall

Sri Lanka’s Test squad for the tour of Pakistan has been reshuffled after Pathum Nissanka was ruled out with a left hamstring injury, an absence that has opened the door for Lahiru Udara to return to the fold.

Nissanka had already missed the T20I and ODI legs of the tour with the same complaint. Sri Lanka had held out hope of a recovery, naming him in both the ODI and Test squads subject to fitness. Those hopes have now been abandoned, with the focus shifting to having him fully fit for the tour of India in December.

The setback continues a frustrating period for a player regarded as one of Sri Lanka’s few all-format assets. Nissanka’s most recent Test appearance came in June 2025, when he scored back-to-back centuries against Bangladesh. He then withdrew following the first Test against West Indies to undergo wrist surgery, missing the India Tests during his rehabilitation. His exclusion from the side in that period was also attributed to injury management.

Across 19 Tests, Pathum Nissanka has compiled 1310 runs at an average of 42.25, with four hundreds and seven fifties. His absence leaves a significant hole at the top of the order.

Udara’s Second Chance

For Udara, Nissanka’s misfortune represents an opportunity to re-establish himself at Test level. The 32-year-old right-hand batter was initially dropped from the side and might have considered himself unfortunate to lose his place.

His first-class record is substantial. Udara has amassed 8771 runs at an average of 42.57, numbers that reflect a long apprenticeship in domestic cricket. He made a late start to his international career but repaid the selectors’ faith with a maiden Test century during Sri Lanka’s tour of the West Indies earlier this year.

That hundred was followed by a lean run of performances as Sri Lanka hosted India for two Tests, after which he was dropped. He has played five Tests and seven T20Is for his country.

The Pakistan tour now offers Udara a chance to demonstrate that the West Indies century was a sign of things to come rather than an isolated high point. For Sri Lanka, the task is to absorb the loss of a settled opener while managing a squad that has been repeatedly disrupted by injury.

The selectors will monitor Nissanka’s rehabilitation closely, with the December tour of India providing the next target for his return.

                                               

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