Colombo: Sri Lanka has announced that star batter Pathum Nissanka will miss the upcoming ICC World Test Championship series against Pakistan as he continues to recover from an injury. Lahiru Udara has been selected as Nissanka's replacement for the two-Test series, which is set to begin in Rawalpindi on November 9.

According to International Cricket Council, Nissanka was initially included in Sri Lanka's Test squad pending a fitness assessment, but he has been unable to recuperate in time for the series. His injury also sidelined him from Sri Lanka's recent white-ball tours in Pakistan, which included both a T20I series and an ODI tri-series featuring England and the hosts. Notably, Sri Lanka achieved the second-highest run chase in ODI history against England in that series.

Udara, who was already part of Sri Lanka's ODI squad for the tri-series, will now join the Test team ahead of the series. He has prior experience in Test and T20I cricket and notably scored a career-best 188 during the World Test Championship series against the West Indies in 2026.

The Test series against Pakistan will be led by Kusal Mendis. The first match will be held at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from November 9 to 13, followed by the second Test in Lahore from November 17 to 21. The Sri Lanka Test squad includes Kusal Mendis (c), Anjala Bandara, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya De Silva, Sonal Dinusha, Asitha Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga, Kamindu Mendis, Keshara Nuwantha, Milan Rathnayaka, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, and Lahiru Udara.