COVID affected players return to squad for Pakistan Test series

Sri Lanka will be at full strength for the two-Test series against Pakistan commencing at the Galle International Cricket Stadium tomorrow with virtually all their COVID-19 affected players returning to the squad and being available for selection.

Dhananjaya de Silva, Asitha Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay and Pathum Nissanka were named in the 18-man squad announced for the series yesterday.

De Silva, Fernando and Vandersay missed the second Test against Australia won by Sri Lanka by an innings after being tested COVID positive, and Nissanka was tested positive during the second Test on the third day.

Left-arm spinners Praveen Jayawickrama who also missed the second Test after being tested positive and Lasith Embuldeniya who was dropped from the squad have both been overlooked for the Pakistan series.

Their places have gone to two other left-arm spinners Prabath Jayasuriya who made a dream Test debut against Australia taking 12 wickets and uncapped teenager Dunith Wellalage who retain their places in the squad.

The two Tests are part of the ICC World Test Championship.

SRI LANKA SQUAD FOR PAKISTAN TESTS: 

Dimuth Karunaratne (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Prabath Jayasuriya, Dunith Wellalage and Jeffrey Vandersay.