Pathum Nissanka ruled out of Tri-Nation ODI series

Pathum Nissanka will not take part in Sri Lanka’s ODI tri-series campaign against Pakistan and England. ThePapare says the event is scheduled for February 18–31 in Rawalpindi and Lahore; The Island Sports reports that Sri Lanka are set to play hosts Pakistan in the opening fixture.

Nissanka has not received medical clearance to return to competitive cricket, the Daily Mirror and ThePapare report. The Island Sports says a hamstring problem kept him out of the preceding T20I series and that his rehabilitation lasted longer than anticipated. Selectors initially hoped he could be available later in the tournament, but later confirmed he would miss the whole event.

Lahiru Udara, who plays alongside Nissanka for NCC, has been brought into the Sri Lankan squad as his replacement, The Island Sports reports; ThePapare also identifies him as the replacement. The Island Sports says the team’s focus is now on preparing Nissanka for a two-match Test series in Pakistan next month. A source close to the team told the outlet that he intends to use a warm-up match before that series to show he is fit and compete for a Test place.

ThePapare reports that Kusal Mendis will captain Sri Lanka, Harry Brook will lead England and Shaheen Shah Afridi will skipper Pakistan. It lists Pakistan fifth, England sixth and Sri Lanka seventh in the ODI rankings.