Photo via Wisden

1426 runs at 95 in 2026: Who is Anjala Bandara, Sri Lanka's uncapped keeper for Pakistan Test tour?

Sri Lanka’s 22-year-old wicketkeeper-batter **Anjala Bandara** is poised to make his Test debut in Pakistan after being named in the 15-man squad, potentially replacing Kusal Mendis as the team’s primary keeper. Though he fell short of selection for the recent India series, Bandara has dominated domestic cricket this season, particularly in red-ball formats.

His form has been nothing short of spectacular: across 16 first-class matches this year, he has amassed 1,426 runs at an astonishing average of 95, including six centuries. Highlights include a career-best 200* for Colombo Cricket Club in the Major League Tournament and a match-winning 151 in the Super Eight stage, followed by another 128 in the National Super League 4-Day Competition.

His consistency extends beyond individual innings, with a first-class tally of 2,239 runs at 65.85 across 31 matches, featuring seven centuries and a double hundred. While his white-ball record remains less dominant, Bandara’s rise has been swift, culminating in his selection for Sri Lanka Emerging Players, where he scored 163 and 189* in unofficial Tests against the West Indies Academy.

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