Uncapped Nishan Peiris called up for Tests
Uncapped off-spinner Nishan Peiris has been called up to the Sri Lanka squad for the twomatch Test series against Bangladesh, starting March 22 in Sylhet, Bangladesh.
The 26-year-old replaces fast bowler Milan Ratnayake in the squad as the selectors aim to strengthen the spin department by adding an extra spinner. Sri Lanka had only two spinners in the team during their recent match against Afghanistan, opting for five seamers in the 16-man squad.
Peiris’ selection follows an outstanding domestic performance, where he claimed 20 wickets in three matches, including two five-wicket hauls for Team Colombo in the National Super League 4-day tournament.
Having made his national team debut at 21 in 2018, Peiris stepped in for Akila Dananjaya, who was sidelined due to a suspect action during the third Test against England in Colombo but is yet to earn his Test cap.
Also making a comeback to the squad is Lahiru Kumara, who replaces the injured Asitha Fernando in the Test side. Kumara, with 74 wickets in 26 matches, last represented Sri Lanka in March 2023 against England. His addition will bolster Sri Lanka’s seam attack, joining Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, and Chamika Gunasekera.
Despite Pathum Nissanka’s impressive performances in limited-overs cricket, the opening batsman has been left out of the Test team as the selectors aim to manage his workload ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Sri Lanka Test squad: Dhananjaya de Silva (Capt), Kusal Mendis (VC), Dimuth Karunaratne, Nishan Madushka, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Ramesh Mendis, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Kamindu Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Udara, Chamika Gunasekara, Nishan Peiris