Jayasuriya, Wellalage retained for Pakistan Tests

Sri Lanka have left out Praveen Jayawickrama, Lasith Embuldeniya, Lakshitha Manasinghe and Chamika Karunaratne from their 18-man squad for the two-match Test series against Pakistan, which will get underway in Galle from July 16.

Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, who scalped 12 wickets in his maiden Test and helped Sri Lanka topple Australia to level the series, has also been retained and is going to be part of the playing XI. 

Dunith Wellalage, who led Sri Lanka in the last Under-19 World Cup, didn't get a game against Australia but has been retained in the squad. Dhananjaya de Silva, Asitha Fernando and Jeffrey Vandersay, who all missed the second Test against Australia due to Covid, are also part of the squad. 

The first Test will be played in Galle, while the second one will get underway from July 24 in Colombo. Sri Lanka are placed at No. 3 in the ICC World Test Championship points table, while Pakistan are just below them.

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