Pathum Nissanka Ruled Out as Sri Lanka Revamp Squad for ODI Tri-Series

Sri Lanka will enter the ODI tri-series against Pakistan and England without opener Pathum Nissanka and former captain Charith Asalanka, with the selectors making changes to the squad ahead of the tournament starting on 18 October.

Nissanka has been declared unavailable after failing to secure medical clearance on Thursday. The opener picked up a left hamstring injury during Sri Lanka’s tour of England, prompting the selectors to bring Lahiru Udara into the 16-member squad as his replacement.

Asalanka’s omission comes after an unproductive spell in the ODI leg of the England tour. The batter, who has scored at an average of 40.55 in 88 matches, managed just 19 runs across his last three innings, with scores of 1, 11 and 7.

The changes leave Sri Lanka without two established players as they prepare for a seven-match competition featuring three teams across two Pakistani cities.

Sri Lanka Face Demanding Schedule in Pakistan

The group stage will be split between Rawalpindi and Lahore, with each side playing the other two teams twice. Sri Lanka will begin against Pakistan at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on 18 October, followed by their meeting with England at the same ground on 22 October.

Their remaining group matches will take place in Lahore. Sri Lanka will face Pakistan on 27 October before closing their group-stage campaign against England on 29 October at Gaddafi Stadium.

Pakistan’s fixtures include an encounter with England in Rawalpindi on 20 October and another in Lahore on 25 October. The final is scheduled for 31 October in Lahore, with the two highest-ranked teams progressing from the group stage.

Pakistan carry T20I momentum into tri-series

Pakistan secured a 2-1 victory in the preceding T20I series against Sri Lanka, winning the first two matches under Sahibzada Farhan’s leadership before the visitors claimed the final game.

Sri Lanka will now look to adjust their ODI combination following Nissanka’s injury and Asalanka’s exclusion.

Sri Lanka Updated ODI Tri-Series Squad

Lahiru Udara, Avishka Fernando, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (c), Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Sachindu Colombage, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka and Eshan Malinga.

Also read: PAK squad reaches Islamabad