Udara dropped as Sri Lanka struggle for specialist options at the top

• Uncapped Bandara, Malinga in Test squad for Pakistan

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

The 15-member Test squad named for Pakistan for the two-match World Test Championship series had quite a few surprises thrown in, most notably the dropping of opening batsman Lahiru Udara after just five Tests, in one of which he scored a splendid 188 against the West Indies in Antigua to draw the Test.

Udara’s surprise exclusion did not go without any notice. Former Sri Lanka Captain Angelo Mathews expressed shock over the decision and warned that such decisions could dent players’ confidence.

“We always talk about building confidence in players but shocked to see Lahiru Udara being left out from the test squad after scoring 188 in the West Indies and failing in just 2 test matches! This will kill his confidence and create doubts in other batters too,” said Mathews in a social media post.

With a grey cloud hanging over the fitness of Pathum Nissanka although he is named in the 15, it would have been pertinent to have picked Udara as one of the specialist openers. The big question is why leave out an opener who has already demonstrated his ability to score a Test century when specialist options at the top appear limited.

If Nissanka is by any chance declared medically unfit, Sri Lanka could be forced to consider alternative opening combinations, including promoting another batter to the top of the order.

The way the team has been selected, Pasindu Sooriyabandara who batted at number 4 and 3 in his proper Test debut against India and scored 80 and 92 could be pushed to open. Sooriyabandara has been a middle order batsman throughout his first-class career where he has accumulated over 5000 runs at an average of 54.46 with 14 centuries which includes four double hundreds. He proved his capabilities as a middle order batter in the Test against India at the SSC.

There was quite a big stir created in the media when Niroshan Dickwella was recalled to the Test side against India. The reason given for his selection over Anjala Bandara was that he was the best wicket-keeper in the business in the country. Dickwella did not disappoint in his return to international cricket scoring a useful 80 and affecting six dismissals behind the stumps although his returns in the next Test were quite ordinary.

With Kusal Mendis returning to the side from injury the wicket-keeper’s berth will be filled but the selectors have also picked Anjala Bandara as reserve wicket-keeper. Mendis is now the all format Captain following the resignation of Dhananjaya de Silva and it will be interesting to see where he bats and whether he will be keeping wickets in his first series as Test Captain.

Uncapped 22-year old Bandara, has been rewarded for a stellar first-class record where he averages 65.85 after 31 games, scoring seven fifties and as many hundreds with a best of 200*.

With Udara, Kamil Mishara with whom he played the second Test against India at the SSC have been dropped along with middle-order batsman Sahan Arachchige who was called up for that Test.

Dinesh Chandimal returns after being subbed out of the first Test at Galle for concussion. The rest of the batting squad remains the same with Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva and Sonal Dinusha.

Sri Lanka has handed out a Test call-up to fast-bowler Eshan Malinga while also recalling left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka. Malinga has been a regular presence in the shorter formats, this is his first Test call-up, having played 19 first-class matches for 44 wickets at an average of 31.15.

Prabath Jayasuriya and Keshara Nuwantha are the frontline spin options besides all-rounder Sonal Dinusha. The pace attack comprises Milan Rathnayake, Lahiru Kumara and Asitha Fernando besides Malinga and Madushanka, while Vishwa Fernando has been dropped.

The two Tests in Rawalpindi (November 9-13) and Lahore (November 17-21) are both part of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle, where Sri Lanka are currently seventh with a PCT of 33.33 and Pakistan at the bottom with a PCT of 4.63.

Squad: Pathum Nissanka, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sonal Dinusha, Kusal Mendis (Captain), Dhananjaya de Silva, Anjala Bandara, Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Rathnayaka, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga