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'This will kill his confidence' - Angelo Mathews shocked by Sri Lanka's Test squad for Pakistan excluding Lahiru Udara

Sri Lanka Cricket has announced a 15-man Test squad for their upcoming two-match series against Pakistan, set to kick off in Rawalpindi on November 9 as part of the ICC World Test Championship cycle. The tour marks a shift in leadership, with Kusal Mendis taking over as Test captain from Dhananjaya de Silva, who stepped down ahead of the series.

Among the notable inclusions are Dilshan Madushanka, recalled to the Test side, and debutants Eshan Malinga and Anjala Bandara, while Pathum Nissanka returns subject to fitness clearance after missing Sri Lanka’s recent tour of India due to injury. The squad’s most contentious omission, however, is opener and wicketkeeper-batter Lahiru Udara Igalagamage, who scored a career-best 188 against the West Indies in July 2026 but has struggled in his last two Tests, including a dismal 3 off 15 balls in the second innings against India in August.

Former Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews criticized the selection, calling Udara’s exclusion a potential confidence killer for the player and a signal of doubt for others, given his strong recent performance. The squad also sees the exclusion of wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella, further reshaping Sri Lanka’s lineup for the high-stakes series in Pakistan.

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