Kusal Mendis will lead Sri Lanka in his first series as Test captain on the two-match tour of Pakistan next month, Sri Lanka Cricket announced on Tuesday.
Kusal Mendis squad and debutants
Dhananjaya de Silva stepped down from the captaincy but remains in the 15-man squad. Fast bowler Eshan Malinga, who has 44 wickets in 19 first-class matches, and 22-year-old wicketkeeper Anjala Bandara, who averages 65.85 with seven centuries and a highest score of 200 not out, receive maiden Test call-ups. Bandara replaces Niroshan Dickwella.
Left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka is recalled, and Dinesh Chandimal returns after being substituted out of the first Test in Galle with concussion. Pathum Nissanka will travel only if declared fit. Prabath Jayasuriya, Keshara Nuwantha and Sonal Dinusha are the spinners.
Tour schedule
Sri Lanka play a three-day warm-up in Islamabad from November 4 to 6. The first Test is at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from November 9 to 13, and the second at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, from November 17 to 21, both part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27. Before that, Sri Lanka feature in the Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka ODI tri-series from October 18 to 31.
