Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka has been ruled out of the ODI tri-series in Pakistan after failing to receive medical clearance on Thursday, dealing the tourists a blow just three days before the tournament begins.
Nissanka hurt his left hamstring during Sri Lanka’s recent tour of England. The injury had already kept him out of the T20I series against Pakistan. Lahiru Udara, who is yet to make his ODI debut, has been named as his replacement in the 16-member squad.
Pathum Nissanka ruled out: what we know
The opener was assessed on Thursday but could not convince the medical staff that his hamstring had recovered enough for 50-over cricket. It is the second straight series the injury has cost him, after he missed the T20Is against Pakistan earlier this month.
Udara’s call-up is a leap of faith by the selectors. The uncapped batter now has three days to prepare for a tournament featuring two of the strongest white-ball sides in the world.
Tri-series schedule
The seven-match tournament runs from October 18 to 31, with matches in Rawalpindi and Lahore. The top two teams will qualify for the final.
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| October 18 | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |
| October 20 | Pakistan vs England | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |
| October 22 | Sri Lanka vs England | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |
| October 25 | Pakistan vs England | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| October 27 | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| October 29 | Sri Lanka vs England | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| October 31 | Final | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
Asalanka dropped, Mendis to lead
Nissanka is not the only big name missing. Former captain Charith Asalanka has been dropped after a poor run during the ODI leg of the England tour, where he managed scores of 1, 11 and 7 in his last three innings.
The numbers underline the selectors’ frustration. Asalanka averages 40.55 across 88 ODIs, but his recent form left them with little choice. Kusal Mendis will captain the side in the tri-series.
What it means for Pakistan
Pakistan open their campaign against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 18, and they will now face a top order missing its most reliable opener. It is a timely boost for the hosts, who named seven players in their squad ahead of the series and will be buoyant after England’s arrival in Islamabad.
The Men in Green come into the tournament in good touch. Under Sahibzada Farhan’s captaincy, Pakistan sealed a 2-1 T20I series win over Sri Lanka, winning the first two matches before the tourists hit back in the third. Squad changes are in the air elsewhere too: South Africa altered their squad for the second Australia Test this week. Mike Hesson is also expected to continue as Test head coach against Sri Lanka, giving the camp rare continuity across formats.
Why was Pathum Nissanka ruled out?
He failed to receive medical clearance on Thursday for a left hamstring injury picked up on Sri Lanka’s tour of England in September.
Who replaced Nissanka in the Sri Lanka squad?
Lahiru Udara, who is uncapped in ODIs, was named as his replacement in the 16-member squad.
When does the ODI tri-series start?
The tournament runs from October 18 to 31 in Rawalpindi and Lahore, opening with Pakistan vs Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The final is at Gaddafi Stadium on October 31.
*Source: Geo Super*
