Sri Lanka has selected Eshan Malinga and Anjala Bandara for a two-match Test series against Pakistan starting in November. Kusal Mendis will lead the side in his debut series as captain after Dhananjaya de Silva stepped down from the role.
The squad includes a recall of left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka and the inclusion of 22-year-old Anjala Bandara, who replaces Niroshan Dickwella. Bandara has recorded seven centuries and seven half-centuries in 31 matches at an average of 65.85, including a highest score of an unbeaten 200.
Eshan Malinga joins the team having taken 44 wickets in 19 first-class matches at an average of 31.15. Dinesh Chandimal returns to the lineup after being substituted out of the first Test in Galle due to a concussion, while Lahiru Udara and Kamil Mishara have been dropped.
The upcoming series is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27, with the first match scheduled at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 9 November to 13 November. The second Test will take place at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore from 17 November to 21 November.
Before the Test tour, Sri Lanka will play a three-day warm-up match in Islamabad from 4 November to 6 November. Sri Lanka is currently contesting a three-match T20I series against Pakistan, where the home side holds a 2-0 lead.
The team will also participate in an ODI tri-series with Pakistan and England from 18 October to 31 October 2026. England will face Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on 22 October, followed by a Pakistan versus Sri Lanka match at Gaddafi Stadium on 27 October.
The final group-stage fixture between Sri Lanka and England occurs on 29 October, with the tri-series final set for Gaddafi Stadium on 31 October.
