Sri Lanka Name 15-Man Test Squad for Pakistan Tour, Kusal Mendis to Lead

Sri Lanka Cricket has named a 15-player Sri Lanka Test squad for Pakistan for the two-Test series in November. Kusal Mendis will lead the side. It is his first Test series as captain, and it makes him Sri Lanka’s all-format captain after Dhananjaya de Silva stepped down from the Test role.

The series is part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship. Sri Lanka sit seventh in the standings while Pakistan are ninth, so both teams need points to climb the table, much like Australia and South Africa in their Durban Test. The first Test will be played from 9 to 13 November in Rawalpindi, and the second from 17 to 21 November in Lahore. The squad was announced on 13 October through Sri Lanka Cricket’s official X post, as reported by SportsTiger.

Mendis Takes Charge of the Test Side

Kusal Mendis already leads Sri Lanka in the shorter formats. This appointment completes his rise to all-format captain. He takes over a Test side that sits near the bottom of the World Test Championship table and will want a strong start in Pakistan.

Dhananjaya de Silva, who stepped down as Test captain, remains in the squad. His experience gives the new captain a trusted senior hand in the middle order. The selectors have also kept the core of the batting group together, with Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal and Kamindu Mendis all included.

Sri Lanka Test Squad for Pakistan: Full 15-Player List

Selection Talking Points

Fitness watch on Nissanka: Pathum Nissanka returns after missing Sri Lanka’s tour of India in August while recovering from a wrist injury. His inclusion is subject to fitness, and Sri Lanka will hope their opener is ready for the first Test in Rawalpindi.

Fresh faces: Anjala Bandara and Eshan Malinga have earned their first Test call-ups. Dilshan Madushanka also returns to the squad after earning a recall, which adds depth to the pace attack.

Notable omissions: Opener Lahiru Udara misses out despite scoring 188 against the West Indies in June. Wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella is also excluded, with Kusal Mendis expected to handle the gloves.

Pakistan Carry White-Ball Momentum Into the Tests

Pakistan will take confidence from their recent white-ball form. They sealed the T20I series 2-0 against Sri Lanka, winning the second match by 82 runs in Rawalpindi on 11 October, with Maaz Sadaqat starring in the victory. Sri Lanka had earlier won the toss and chosen to bowl first in that decider but could not stop the hosts.

That result gives Pakistan momentum ahead of the red-ball series. Both Tests are at home, in Rawalpindi and Lahore, where Pakistan know the conditions well. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will look to their spin options to challenge the hosts on helpful tracks.

With Sri Lanka seventh and Pakistan ninth in the World Test Championship, this series matters for both sides. A series win would lift either team out of the lower reaches of the table.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who will captain Sri Lanka in the Pakistan Tests?

Kusal Mendis. It is his first Test series as captain, and he is now Sri Lanka’s all-format captain after Dhananjaya de Silva stepped down.

When and where are the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Tests?

The first Test runs 9 to 13 November in Rawalpindi. The second Test follows from 17 to 21 November in Lahore.

Which uncapped players are in the Sri Lanka squad?

Anjala Bandara and Eshan Malinga have received their first Test call-ups. Dilshan Madushanka has also earned a recall.

Is the series part of the World Test Championship?

Yes. Both Tests count toward the ongoing ICC World Test Championship. Sri Lanka are seventh in the standings and Pakistan ninth.

Sources: SportsTiger, hiindia