COLOMBO, Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka has been ruled out of the upcoming One Day International tri-series against Pakistan and England after failing to recover from a hamstring injury.
Sri Lanka Tour of Pakistan 2026
Pathum Nissanka will not join Sri Lanka’s ODI squad for the upcoming Tri-Nation Series, involving Pakistan and England, as he has yet to receive medical clearance to return to play.
Nissanka sustained a left hamstring injury during Sri Lanka’s recently concluded tour of England.
Lahiru Udara has been named as his replacement in the ODI squad.
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) October 15, 2026
The right-handed batsman sustained the injury to his left thigh during Sri Lanka’s tour of England, which also kept him out of the recent T20 International series against Pakistan.
Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed on Thursday that Nissanka did not receive medical clearance to return to competitive cricket. Selectors have called up Lahiru Udara to replace the opening batter in the 16-member squad.
Tournament opener in Rawalpindi
Udara is yet to make his ODI debut, though he has featured in five Test matches and seven T20 Internationals. The batsman holds an established List A record, scoring 3,017 runs across 102 matches at an average of 32.09, including three centuries.
The tri-series begins on 18 October, with Sri Lanka taking on hosts Pakistan in the opening fixture at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Kusal Mendis will captain the visiting side and assume wicketkeeping duties as Sri Lanka adjust their top order ahead of the 50-over competition.
