Sri Lanka Announce Squad for Pakistan Test Series 2026; Kusal Mendis Named Captain, Eshan Malinga and Anjala Bandara Earns Maiden Call-Up
Sri Lanka Cricket announced its 15-member Test squad for the two-match series against Pakistan in November 2026, a crucial part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-2027 cycle. Kusal Mendis will lead as captain. Star opener Pathum Nissanka's inclusion depends on fitness after a wrist injury.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) today unveiled its 15-member Test squad for the highly anticipated two-match series against Pakistan in November, a crucial fixture in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-2027 cycle. The announcement sees Kusal Mendis officially take the reins as Test captain, leading a squad that blends experienced campaigners with promising new talents. While the return of Pathum Nissanka has been confirmed, his availability for the series is contingent on him being declared medically fit following a wrist injury. Sri Lanka Tour of Pakistan 2026: Full Schedule, Match Dates, Timings and Venues.
Sri Lanka Announce Squad for Pakistan Test Series 2026
Squad Overview & New Leadership
The squad, confirmed by Sri Lanka Cricket on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, sees Kusal Mendis assuming the captaincy across all three formats, a significant move for Sri Lankan cricket. His leadership begins with a challenging away assignment against Pakistan. The full 15-member squad includes a mix of batting prowess and bowling options:
- Captain: Kusal Mendis
- Batsmen: Pathum Nissanka, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sonal Dinusha, Dhananjaya De Silva
- Wicketkeeper-Batsman: Anjala Bandara
- Spinners: Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya
- Fast Bowlers: Milan Rathnayaka, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga
Pathum Nissanka's Fitness and Emerging Talents
Star opener Pathum Nissanka has been included in the squad, but his participation in the series hinges on his recovery from a wrist injury that saw him miss Sri Lanka's recent tour of India and the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026. His fitness will be assessed closer to the first Test, leaving a degree of uncertainty at the top of the order.
Retaining his place in the squad is the 26-year-old middle-order batter Pasindu Sooriyabandara, who previously made his Test debut as a concussion substitute against India in August 2026. Sooriyabandara impressed in that series, notably scoring two half-centuries in the second Test.
A significant inclusion is the uncapped 22-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Anjala Bandara, who has earned his maiden Test call-up. Bandara's selection comes on the back of a stellar first-class record, boasting an impressive average of 65.85 from 31 matches, including seven centuries and seven half-centuries, with a top score of 200 not out. He replaces Niroshan Dickwella in the squad. Fast bowler Eshan Malinga, 25, also receives his maiden Test call-up, having taken 44 wickets in 19 first-class matches at an average of 31.15.
Notable Omissions
One of the most talked-about omissions from the squad is opening batter Lahiru Udara. The 32-year-old, despite scoring a career-best 188 against the West Indies in July 2026 just two Test appearances ago, and accumulating 313 runs at an average of 34.77 in his five Tests, has been overlooked. This decision has drawn criticism, with former Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews publicly questioning the selectors' strategy and warning of its potential impact on player confidence. Dhananjaya de Silva Resigns as Sri Lanka Test Captain, Calls for 'Next Generation' Leadership.
Series Schedule and World Test Championship Context
The two-match Test series is a vital part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2025-2027 cycle, offering crucial points for both nations. The schedule is as follows:
| Match | Dates | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | November 9-13, 2026 | Rawalpindi |
| 2nd Test | November 17-21, 2026 | Lahore |
For viewers in Sri Lanka, the series will be broadcast live on ThePapare 1 & 1 HD (Dialog TV Channels 62 & 126) and available for streaming on the Dialog Play App. No international broadcast details were available at the time of publication.
The series presents a significant challenge for the Sri Lankan side under new captain Kusal Mendis as they aim to establish their standing in the new WTC cycle, particularly with uncertainties surrounding key player fitness and the absence of established openers.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 13, 2026 02:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).