Colombo, October 13, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Sri Lanka have announced a 15-member squad for their two-Test tour of Pakistan in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–2027 cycle, with Kusal Mendis set to lead the red-ball team for the first time.
The series will begin in Rawalpindi on November 9, followed by the second Test in Lahore. The tour will mark Mendis’ first assignment as Sri Lanka’s Test captain after he assumed leadership of the country’s white-ball teams earlier this year.
Pathum Nissanka has been included in the squad, but his participation in the opening Test will depend on his recovery and medical clearance. He will travel with the team only if declared fit ahead of the series.
The squad also includes a maiden Test call-up for Anjala Bandara, who has earned a place in the 15-member touring party.
Mendis’ appointment follows Dhananjaya de Silva’s decision to step down as Test captain last week. De Silva, who had led the side in the format since January 2024, said it was time to pass the responsibility to younger players.
“It’s my genuine opinion that the mantle should go down to the next generation,” de Silva said in a letter to Sri Lanka’s selection committee.
The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Selection Committee finalised Mendis’ appointment at a meeting at the board’s headquarters on Thursday.
The wicketkeeper-batter brings substantial experience in Test cricket, having played 75 matches and scored 4,836 runs, including 10 centuries and 23 half-centuries.
Mendis was appointed Sri Lanka’s white-ball captain in May, taking over the ODI leadership from Charith Asalanka and the T20I captaincy from Dasun Shanaka. His elevation to the Test role places him in charge of the national team across all three international formats.
The Pakistan tour will provide Mendis with his first opportunity to lead Sri Lanka in a Test series as the team seeks to strengthen its position in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle.
Sri Lanka squad for Pakistan Tests: Kusal Mendis (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sonal Dinusha, Dhananjaya de Silva, Anjala Bandara, Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Rathnayaka, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka and Eshan Malinga.
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