Sri Lanka have suffered a significant setback on their ongoing tour of Pakistan, as key batter Pathum Nissanka has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI tri-series scheduled to begin on October 18. The national squad had wrapped up a three-match T20I contest against the hosts and was transitioning into the fifty-over competition when medical assessments determined that Nissanka could not take part.
Medical Clearance Denied Following Hamstring Strain
Sri Lanka Cricket had named Pathum Nissanka in the touring party well in advance when the original squad selection was finalized, anticipating that he would recover in time. However, clearance from the medical staff remained conditional upon his physical condition. Ultimately, the medical team did not give him the green light to compete, as he continues his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury suffered during the tour of England. With recovery incomplete, the team management decided against risking him in the tournament.
Lahiru Udara Called Up as Squad Replacement
Following confirmation of Nissanka's withdrawal, Sri Lanka Cricket officially announced Lahiru Udara as his replacement in the setup. While Udara is yet to make his debut in the one-day international format, he brings substantial top-level experience, having already featured in five Tests and seven T20 Internationals for the national team. His recent involvement includes playing in three T20Is against England in September, followed by appearances in all three T20Is against Pakistan earlier this month.
Injury Background and Upcoming Test Series Assessment
The hamstring trouble for Nissanka traces back to the bilateral series in England, an issue that previously kept him sidelined during the recent T20I leg against Pakistan. Looking ahead on the tour itinerary, Nissanka has also been named in Sri Lanka's 15-member squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Pakistan, which is scheduled to commence on November 9. His availability for those five-day fixtures will depend entirely on how his rehabilitation progresses and whether he successfully clears medical evaluations prior to the opening Test.
Tournament Action Gets Underway in Rawalpindi
The tri-nation ODI tournament hosted by Pakistan features three competing sides: hosts Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and England. The opening match of the series will take place on October 18 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, where Pakistan and Sri Lanka will square off. Nissanka's absence leaves the visitors needing to reconfigure their batting combinations ahead of the curtain-raiser.
