Pathum Nissanka ruled out of Pakistan ODI tri-series, Lahiru Udara named replacement

Pathum Nissanka ruled out of Pakistan ODI tri-series, Lahiru Udara named replacement

Pathum Nissanka Ruled Out of Pakistan ODI Tri-Series as Lahiru Udara Joins Sri Lanka Squad

Sri Lanka will begin its Pakistan and England ODI tri-series without one of its most reliable top-order batters. Opener Pathum Nissanka has been ruled out after failing to recover fully from a left hamstring injury, with medical staff withholding clearance ahead of the tournament.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has named wicketkeeper-batter Lahiru Udara as Nissanka’s replacement in the 16-player squad. Udara offers the team an additional option at the top of the order while also providing cover behind the stumps—a useful combination as Sri Lanka prepares for a demanding schedule in Pakistan.

The injury setback adds an important selection question for captain Kusal Mendis: who will partner Sri Lanka’s other likely opening options, and how will the reshuffled batting order cope against Pakistan and England? The tri-series begins on October 18 and concludes with the final in Lahore on October 31.

Hamstring Injury Keeps Nissanka Out

Nissanka’s absence follows a left hamstring problem sustained during Sri Lanka’s limited-overs tour of England in September 2026. The injury was initially described as a minor strain, but it reportedly worsened after he continued playing while experiencing discomfort.

The opener struggled during the third ODI against England, and the injury subsequently ruled him out of Sri Lanka’s three-match T20I series against Pakistan in Rawalpindi. Although he continued his rehabilitation, his recovery was not complete in time for the ODI tri-series. The medical team’s decision means Sri Lanka will avoid risking a premature return that could aggravate the injury and keep him out for longer.

Nissanka’s unavailability is significant because he has been a key presence at the top of the order, where a steady start can shape an entire ODI innings. His absence may prompt Sri Lanka to adjust its opening combination or move an established batter into a new role. Udara’s inclusion gives the selectors flexibility, but the replacement will need to adapt quickly to the demands of international cricket and the conditions in Pakistan.

What Lahiru Udara Brings to Sri Lanka

Udara’s selection gives Sri Lanka a player who can contribute in two areas. As a wicketkeeper-batter, he can be considered for an opening or top-order position while also serving as backup to the team’s primary wicketkeeping option. That versatility may prove valuable over a tournament featuring three teams and a compact run of fixtures.

His arrival does not automatically settle the batting order. Sri Lanka’s management will have to weigh experience, recent form and role suitability when deciding who opens. Avishka Fernando and Kamil Mishara are among the squad’s batting choices, while captain Kusal Mendis can also influence the balance of the top and middle order. The final combination may depend on the surface, opposition and whether Sri Lanka prefers an aggressive or more measured start.

For Udara, the series represents an opportunity to make an impression against high-profile opponents. A strong showing could strengthen Sri Lanka’s depth in the wicketkeeper-batter role, while also giving the team a practical alternative should injuries or form issues arise during the tour.

Pakistan ODI Tri-Series 2026: Schedule and Venues

The tri-series will be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore from October 18 to 31. Each team will face the other two sides twice in the league stage, with the top two teams advancing to the final at Gaddafi Stadium.

League-stage fixtures

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

The schedule gives all three sides six league matches in which to test combinations and build momentum. The move from Rawalpindi to Lahore also adds a change of venue midway through the competition, potentially requiring teams to reassess their plans as pitch and playing conditions vary. For Sri Lanka, the early match against hosts Pakistan will be an immediate test of how effectively the side has adapted to Nissanka’s absence.

Sri Lanka’s Updated Squad

Kusal Mendis will captain Sri Lanka’s 16-member squad. The group includes a mix of specialist batters, all-rounders, wicketkeeping cover and pace and spin options, giving the team several ways to balance its XI.

Sri Lanka squad: Lahiru Udara, Avishka Fernando, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (captain), 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.

The squad’s mix of seamers and spin options should allow Sri Lanka to tailor its attack to each venue. The batting group, meanwhile, will need to share the responsibility of replacing Nissanka’s contribution. That makes the opening partnership and the middle order’s ability to maintain scoring pressure key areas to watch throughout the tournament.

Tri-Series Leads into World Test Championship Assignment

Sri Lanka’s Pakistan tour will continue after the ODI final, but the focus will shift from limited-overs cricket to the longer format. The team is scheduled to play a three-day warm-up match in Islamabad from November 4 to 6 before beginning a two-Test series against Pakistan.

The opening Test is set for Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from November 9 to 13, with the second match scheduled at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore from November 17 to 21. Both Tests form part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle, giving the series added importance in the standings.

The ODI tri-series will therefore serve as more than a short tournament: it gives Sri Lanka a chance to assess squad depth, manage workloads and build confidence before the Test challenge. With Nissanka unavailable, attention will be on how Udara and the other batters respond, and whether the team can find a reliable combination quickly.

Prediction: Sri Lanka’s Key Challenge

Any prediction for the tri-series will depend on how consistently each side performs across the league stage, rather than on one standout result. Pakistan will have home conditions in its favour, while England brings the potential to apply pressure with both bat and ball. Sri Lanka’s route to the final may hinge on its ability to replace Nissanka’s stability at the top and make the most of its all-round options.

Udara’s selection gives Sri Lanka another avenue to explore, but the team’s broader response will matter just as much. If the revised opening combination settles early and the bowlers make effective use of conditions in Rawalpindi and Lahore, Sri Lanka can remain competitive. The tournament should provide a revealing test of the side’s depth—and a timely opportunity for new contributors to establish themselves before the World Test Championship series begins.

Latest News