Sri Lanka’s selectors have freshened up both white-ball squads for the November trip to Pakistan, handing 23-year-old quick Eshan Malinga a maiden call-up and recalling Bhanuka Rajapaksa to the T20 side. Charith Asalanka continues as captain, with Dasun Shanaka installed as vice-captain for the tri-series that follows the three ODIs.
Key decisions were forced by injury and illness. Left-armer Dilshan Madushanka has not shaken off a knee problem and misses the 50-over games, opening the door for Malinga. Sling-armed seamer Matheesha Pathirana is recovering from an upper respiratory infection and sits out the T20 leg, replaced by fellow quick Asitha Fernando.
“Eshan has been on our radar for a while and offers genuine pace with the new ball,” a Sri Lanka Cricket statement noted on Friday. The same release confirmed Rajapaksa’s return: “Bhanuka adds proven power at the death and strengthens our middle-order options.”
Rajapaksa last appeared in a T20 international in January and has since missed two bilateral series and the Asia Cup. The selectors believe his experience will prove valuable on the flatter Pakistani pitches.
There is no place in either squad for Dunith Wellalage. The left-arm spinner will instead captain Sri Lanka A at the Rising Stars T20 Asia Cup in Doha later this month, a move aimed at keeping him match-ready while expanding leadership depth.
Fixtures and format
• ODIs v Pakistan: Rawalpindi, 11, 13, 15 November
• T20 tri-series (Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Zimbabwe): Rawalpindi & Lahore, 17-29 November
Asalanka welcomed the blend of youth and experience: “We’ve got pace, spin and plenty of batting. It’s about executing under pressure.”
Squads
ODI (16 players): Charith Asalanka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Pramod Madushan, Eshan Malinga.
T20 tri-series (16 players): Charith Asalanka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Kamil Mishara, Dasun Shanaka (vice-capt), Kamindu Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Asitha Fernando, Eshan Malinga.
Early assessment
Pakistan’s surfaces promise pace and carry, conditions Malinga and Chameera should relish. Hasaranga and Theekshana provide spin variety, while Asalanka’s batting line-up looks flexible, with Kusal Perera likely tasked with setting the tempo in the powerplay.
The tour is also a chance for Shanaka, currently short of runs, to firm up his all-round credentials. How Sri Lanka balance the side—possibly seven batters, four specialist bowlers and the captain’s medium-pace—could decide their fortunes.
Next steps
The squad departs Colombo on 8 November for a brief acclimatisation camp in Islamabad. Practice matches are pencilled in for 9 and 10 November, after which selections for the ODI opener will become clearer.
It is, in short, a measured squad that rewards form while keeping an eye on future ICC tournaments. “The door’s never closed,” chief selector Pramodya Wickramasinghe added. “Performances on this tour will shape our planning for 2026.”
