Sri Lanka name 18-member squad for Test series against Pakistan

Sri Lanka have named a strong 18-member squad for their two-match Test series against Pakistan. The Islanders have left out Chamika Karunaratne, Lasith Embuldeniya, Praveen Jayawickrama and Lakshitha Manasinghe from their squad.

Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya picked up 12 wickets in the second Test against Australia in Galle. He became the Player of the Match after Sri Lanka won the match by an innings and 39 runs.

Jayasuriya picked up six wickets in both the innings he bowled in. The Lankans have retained the 30-year-old for the upcoming red-ball series. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Jayasuriya is most likely to play in the opening match of



the series.

Uncapped Dunith Wellalage, who captained Sri Lanka in the U19 World Cup earlier this year, has been retained in the national squad. He played in the limited-overs series against Australia, but didn’t get a chance to take the field in the Test series.

The upcoming Test series will get underway on Saturday, July 16 with the opening match to be played at the Galle International Stadium. The second and final Test of the series will be played from Sunday, July 24 at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Pakistan recently played a three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI at the Colts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo.