Sri-Lanka name squad for Pakistan series

With all the players available for selection unlike in the ODI and T20I series, Sri Lanka have named an experienced and strong 16-member squad to take on Pakistan in the two-Test series which will be part of the ICC Test Championship. 

The Tests are scheduled to be played at Rawalpindi (December 11-15) and Karachi (December 19-23).

All 16 players picked have appeared in no less than two Tests. The least experienced of them Oshada Fernando with two Test appearances will become skipper Dimuth Karunaratne’s new Test opening partner during the series.

Fernando is being tried out as opener as all the others before him have failed to deliver consistently. Lahiru Thirimanne was the last to open the batting with Karunaratne, however his 12 innings as opener produced only one fifty. He however has been selected as the third opener.

Fernando, a one drop batsman caught the eye with a match-winning knock of 75 not out against South Africa at Port Elizabeth in February enabling Sri Lanka to become the first team from the subcontinent to win a Test series 2-0 in the rainbow nation.

Kusal Perera has been named as the reserve wicket-keeper to Niroshan Dickwella who retains his place as late middle-order batsman at number 7 thus giving strength to the batting that will have Kusal Mendis at 3, Angelo Mathews at 4, Dinesh Chandimal at 5 and Dhananjaya de Silva at 6.

Chandimal who has gone through a tough nine months since last being selected to play for his country in any format finally finds himself with a batting slot at five in the Test line-up. Chandimal last played for Sri Lanka in February this year against Australia in the Canberra Test.

Sri Lanka have named four fast bowlers with Suranga Lakmal and Vishwa Fernando making a head start over Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara. The same applies for the three spinners with experienced Dilruwan Perera expected to pair off with left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya. Lakshan Sandakan is the third spinner.