Sri Lanka’s opening batsman Pathum Nissanka will miss the upcoming ODI tri-series in Pakistan, as his left hamstring injury, sustained during the England tour, has not healed sufficiently. Lahiru Udara steps in as his replacement, marking his potential debut in this format.
Originally included in the 16-man squad contingent on his recovery, Nissanka’s absence leaves a notable gap in Sri Lanka’s line-up. The team has faced difficulties this year, especially in limited-overs cricket. Only skipper Kusal Mendis has surpassed Nissanka’s tally of 1,324 runs in ODIs since 2024.
Udara, at 32, has an important chance to solidify his standing in the national team, especially after being excluded from the Test series against Pakistan. This exclusion came despite his impressive 188 against the West Indies in July. However, his performance in the T20Is, particularly his 91 off 55 balls against Pakistan, underscores his potential. With an average of 32.09 and a strike rate of 85.97 across 97 List A matches, Udara’s entry could be impactful.
“Nissanka has been pivotal for us,” a team insider mentioned, emphasizing the significance of his contributions. Meanwhile, discussions focus on whether he will recover in time for the first Test in Rawalpindi starting November 9.
The tri-series, featuring teams from Pakistan and England alongside Sri Lanka, begins with a clash between Pakistan and Sri Lanka on Sunday.
