SRI LANKA CRICKET NEWS
(NOVEMBER 2025)
Compiled by Victor Melder
The right arm fast bowler Eshan Malinga has been recalled for both National ODI and T-20 squads for the forthcoming Pakistan tour while top order batsman Kamil Mishara and paceman Promod Madushan have been named for the ODI squad. Both squads are subject to approval from the Sports Minister. Mishara who was in the last Asia Cup T-20 series has been included in both squads with his batting performance and Nuwanidu Fernando couldn’t find a place in both squads due to the inclusion of Mishara Unfortunately Nuwanidu couldn’t perform in last series but Mishara was ahead of him as a top order batsman Meanwhile Matheesha Pathirana the right arm paceman who is presently ill and Dilshan Madushka the left arm paceman having injury were not considered for this Pakistan tour which consists three ODI match series against Pakistan followed by Tri Nation T-20 series with Zimbabwe and Pakistan. The probable 16 member ODI squad also includes Eshan Malinga the 24 year old right arm fast bowler who has played 6 ODIs but did not get chance for the last Zimbabwe series as well as T-20 Asia Cup. He played his last ODI against Bangladesh home series last July. He has ability to bowl with confidence at death overs and was highly praised for his performance at last IPL played for Sunrise Hyderabad once again get good chance to show his ability in this both formats in the Pakistan tour. The 31 year right arm fast bowler Promod Madushan who played his last ODI in 2024 March against Bangladesh once again recalled to strengthen the ODI fast bowling unit. Madushan already played 9 ODIs having 13 wickets with best figures of 4 for 75 and he has shown his performance in recent domestic tournament as well as Sri Lanka A team to get chance for the ODI squad. A product of Theraputtha National School Hambantota Madushan is also useful late order batsman and he got chance to play recent Sri Lanka A team tours with Eshan Malinga. Meanwhile Nishan Madushka the opener couldn’t find a place in ODI squad while Lahiru Udara the NCC and Sri Lanka A opener who made his debut test against Bangladesh at SSC last July replaced Madushka. Lahiru Udara is the partner of Pathum Nissanka in the ODIs while Kusal Mendis will partner Pathum Nissanka for T-20s. The key spinner Wanindu Hasaranga is in both ODI’ and T-20 along with Maheesh Theekshana while Dushan Hementha is named for T-20’ s and Jeffrey Vandersay for ODIs. The hard hitting left hander Bhanuka Rajapaksa once again recalled for the T- 20 squad while Asitha Fernando who was only in the ODI squad gets a chance to replace Binura Fernando in this T-20 squad and Chamika Karunaratne who did not impress in last Asia Cup also omitted for the T-20 squad. Meanwhile Dunith Wellalage the young leg spin all-rounder was not named for both T-20 and ODI squad and reliable sources confirmed he will lead the Sri Lanka emerging team for Asian Cup Emerging tournament in Qatar from November 14 to 23 with promising players such as Vishen Halambage, Pavan Ratnayake, Nuwanidu Fernando. Meanwhile Pavan Ratnayake is in the ODI squad but as soon as he finishes this ODI series he will join emerging team on Qatar tour. Meanwhile Charith Asalanka will lead both ODI and T-20 sides for the Pakistan tour while Dasun Shanaka will be named as vice captain of the National T-20 side.Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage are in both squads while Sadeera Samarawickrama is in ODI squad and experienced Kusal Janith Perera once again in the T-20 squad. The experienced seamer Dushmantha Chameera also in both squads while Nuwan Thushara is in T-20 squad. Sri Lanka Pakistan ODI series will commence on a November 11 and followed by Tri series T-20 tournament from November 17. Sri Lanka team will leave on November 7.The probable ODI squad (subject to approval from the Sports Minister): Charith Asalanka (Capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Lahiru Udara , Kamil Mishara, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Ratnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga, Promod Madushan The probable T-20 squad (subject to approval from the Sports Minister): Charith Asalanka ( Capt) , Dasun Shanaka (V Capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Kamil Mishara,Kamindu Mendis Janith Liyanage, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hementha, Asitha Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga, Nuwan Thushara (Daily News, 3.11.2025)
As Sri Lanka departed for Pakistan yesterday morning for a white-ball series, skipper Charith Asalanka underlined the importance of winning the series to boost the team’s confidence ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka will play Pakistan in a three-match ODI series before being joined by Zimbabwe for a T20 International Tri-Series. While Pakistan come into the series having played a full tour against South Africa, Sri Lanka embark on their first international assignment since the Asia Cup in Dubai in September. “It’s going to be a challenging tournament,” said captain Charith Asalanka before leaving for the airport. “Pakistan are a side that play well. We too have performed well as a team in ODIs in recent months, and winning a tournament in Pakistan will certainly give us a lot of confidence. We have a very balanced side, and we’re hopeful of winning both series.” Sri Lanka have been dominant at home in ODIs, winning all five series played under Asalanka’s leadership. They lost an away series to New Zealand but defeated Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe to strengthen their position in ODI cricket. This, however, will be a new challenge against a strong Pakistan outfit. Pakistan, who are currently engaged in a series against South Africa, have enjoyed notable away victories over Australia, West Indies, and South Africa during the past 12 months, though they lost their most recent tours to New Zealand and West Indies. The ODI series will be of particular significance to Lahiru Udara, who is expected to open the batting alongside Pathum Nissanka after the 31-year-old received the green light ahead of Nishan Madushka and Nuwanidu Fernando. Although Nissanka has been exceptional with the bat, he has struggled to find a stable opening partner, and selectors now believe Udara could fit the role. Uncapped middle-order batter Pavan Rathnayake, 23, has also been named in the ODI squad — a reward for consistent domestic performances over time, even though his recent form has been modest. He did, however, register a List A century at the end of July. All eyes, however, will be on the T20 Tri-Series, a format in which Sri Lanka have struggled for some time. They have won only one series — in Zimbabwe — over the past year, and their failure to qualify for the Asia Cup final has prompted selectors to ring in the changes. Fast bowler Eshan Malinga has been included in both the ODI and T20 squads, as has Asitha Fernando. Batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa and leg-spinner Dushan Hemantha have also been recalled, as selectors seek to find the right combinations ahead of the World Cup. Interestingly this will be the first international assignments of both Julian Wood and Rene Ferdinands who were appointed as batting and spin bowling coaches by Sri Lanka Cricket in October.
Sri Lanka’s ODIs against Pakistan are all scheduled to be played in Rawalpindi on November 11, 13, and 15. The matches will be followed by the Tri-Series from November 17 in Rawalpindi and Lahore, with the final slated for November 29.
Sri Lanka Squads
ODIs: Charith Asalanka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Pramod Madushan, Eshan Malinga
T20I Tri-Series: Charith Asalanka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Kamil Mishara, Dasun Shanaka (VC), Kamindu Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Asitha Fernando, Eshan Malinga (Sunday Times, 9.11.2025)
Sri Lanka’s Cricket Board said, Thursday that its players will remain in Pakistan to complete a one-day international series and a subsequent T20 tri-series, with all games to be played in Rawalpindi. At least eight players had asked to leave over security fears after Tuesday’s suicide bombing in Islamabad that killed 12 people and wounded 27. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said, the decision to stay for next week’s tri-series, which also includes Zimbabwe, was taken after ‘close consultations’ with hosts Pakistan who had given security assurances. SLC have stated disciplinary action will be taken against any player who tried to leave Pakistan. “We lined up substitute players to be sent to continue with the tournament, but now that the squad has agreed to stay, we won’t be sending anyone,” an SLC official told AFP. All tri-series fixtures will now be played in Rawalpindi, which neighbours Islamabad, but has heavy security. Originally four of the six round-robin matches and the final had been scheduled to take place in Lahore. The ODI series was already being played in Rawalpindi, with the second match put back by a day to Friday and the third, originally due on Saturday, moved to Sunday. The T20 tri-series was scheduled to start on Monday but will also begin a day later with the final now also a day later on 29 November. “Grateful to the Sri Lankan team for their decision to continue the Pakistan tour,” said Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on social media. “The spirit of sportsmanship and solidarity shines bright.” Six Sri Lankan players were wounded in March 2009 when gunmen opened fire on their team bus as it was taking them to Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore for a Test match. The incident led to international teams staying away from Pakistan for nearly a decade. Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by six runs in the opening ODI in Rawalpindi on Tuesday, a game that went ahead despite the suicide attack in nearby Islamabad. The PCB said security around the visiting team had been tightened following the attack. Naqvi met Sri Lankan players at their Islamabad hotel on Wednesday and assured them of their safety, Sri Lankan officials said, adding that the number of guards for the squad has been doubled. (Ceylon Today, 14.11.2025)
Pakistan beat the touring Sri Lankans by 6 runs in the first ODI played at Rawalpandi. Scores
Pakistan – 295/5 in 50 Overs (Agha 105no, Talat 62, Nawaz 36no, Zaman 32, Hasaranga 3/54, A. Fernando 1/42)
Sri Lanka – 293/9 in 50 Overs (Hasaranga 59, Samarawickrama 39, Mishara 38, Asalanka 32, Rauf 4/61, Ashraf 2/49, Shah 2/55)
Player of the Match: Salman Agha (Pakistan)
One Day Debut: Kamal Mishra (Sri Lanka)
Pakistan have been fined 20 per cent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate in the first ODI against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on Tuesday, the ICC said in a statement on Wednesday. Match referee Ali Naqvi imposed the sanction after Shaheen Afridi’s side was found to be four overs short of its target in an innings that ultimately took over four hours to complete. Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct states that players are fined five per cent of their match fee for each over their side fails to bowl within the allotted time. Pakistan had one extra fielder brought into the ring after the 46th over of Sri Lanka’s innings as the first ODI went the distance. Wanindu Hasaranga’s half-century kept the visitors in the hunt until the final over of the contest despite looking like Pakistan would coast to victory after Sri Lanka lost their seventh wicket still 88 runs adrift. The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Alex Wharf and Asif Yaqoob, with Sharfuddoula acting as third umpire and Rashid Riaz as fourth. Afridi accepted the sanction without contest, meaning no formal hearing was required. The second ODI was supposed to take place on Thursday. However, some Sri Lanka players expressed a desire to leave on Wednesday night following a terror incident in Islamabad, the city they are staying in. It led to a late-night meeting between the PCB chairman and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Sri Lanka’s players, who were ultimately persuaded them to stay when SLC threatened any players who left with disciplinary action. As such the second and third ODI’s were pushed back a day, and the following T20I tri-series, which also includes Zimbabwe, will begin a day later. (Cricinfo) Daily Island, 14.11.2025)
Pakistan beat the touring Sri Lankans by 8 wickets in the second ODI played at Rawalpandi. Scores
Sri Lanka – 288/8 in 50 Overs (Liyanage 54, Samarawickrama 42, Hasaranga 37, Ahmed 3/41, Rauf 3/660
Pakistan – 289/2 in 48.2 Overs (Azam 102no, Zaman 78, Rizwan 51no, Chameera 2/58)
Player of the Match: Babar Azam (Pakistan)
Pakistan beat the touring Sri Lankans by 6 wickets in the third and final ODI played at Rawalpandi. Scores
Sri Lanka – 211 in 44.2 Overs (Samarawickrama 48, Kusal Mendis 34, Rathnayake 32, Mishara 29, Wasim 3/47, Rauf 2/38, Akram 2.42
Pakistan – 215/4 in 44.4 Overs (Rizwan 61no, Zaman 55, Talat 42no, Vandersay 3/42)
Pakistan won the 3-match series 3-0.
Player of the match; Mohammad Nassim. (Pakistan)
Player of the Series: Haris Rauf (Pakistan
ODI Debut: Pavan Rathnayake (Sri Lanka)Sri Lanka will field a side under the leadership of Dasun Shanaka for the upcoming tri-nation series in Pakistan, after captain Charit Asalanka and fast bowler Asitha Fernando were ruled out due to illness. Both players have been released from the squad and will return home to receive proper medical care. Team management said precautionary move ensures they get sufficient time to recover ahead of future international assignments. With Asalanka unavailable, Shanaka has been appointed to lead the team for the tri-series featuring Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, Pavan Rathnayake has been drafted into the T20I squad as a replacement player. (Daily Mirror, 17.11.2025)
Zimbabwe beat Sri Lanka by 67 runs in the second match of the T20 Tri series, played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Scores:
Zimbabwe – 162/8 in 20 Overs (Bennett 49, Raza 47, Hasaranga 3/32, Malinga 2/27)
Sri Lanka – 95 in 20 Overs (Shanaka 34, Evans 3/9, Ngarara 2/150
Player of the Match: Srikander Raza (Zimbabwe)
ODI Debut: Eshan Malinga (Sri Lanka)
Points: Zimbabwe 2, Sri Lanka 0
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially released the fixtures and group allocations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to bowl off on February 7 and run until March 8, featuring 20 teams, 29 days of action, and eight iconic venues across India and Sri Lanka. The tournament’s opening day will see six teams in action, including defending champions India, who begin their title defence against USA in Mumbai, aiming to become the first team to retain the Men’s T20 World Cup trophy. This 10th edition of the tournament will be co-hosted across five venues in India — Ahmedabad, Chennai, New Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata — and three in Sri Lanka — Colombo (two venues) and Kandy.
Host Venues:
• India: Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad), MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai), Arun Jaitley Stadium (Delhi), Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai), Eden Gardens (Kolkata)
• Sri Lanka: R. Premadasa Stadium (Colombo), Sinhalese Sports Club Ground (Colombo), Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (Kandy)
A total of 40 group-stage matches will be played from February 7–20, after which the top two teams from each group progress to the Super Eights, beginning February 21. The top four teams from the Super Eights will qualify for the semi-finals, set to take place in Kolkata/Colombo and Mumbai, before the grand final on March 8 in Ahmedabad/Colombo. Among the most anticipated fixtures is the blockbuster India–Pakistan clash in Colombo on February 15, a highlight of Group A, which also includes USA, Netherlands, and Namibia. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, head into a competitive Group B alongside former champions Australia, as well as Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Oman. Two-time winners England and West Indies headline Group C, joined by Bangladesh, Nepal, and tournament debutants Italy. Group D features a strong mix, with South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada, and UAE.
T20 World Cup 2026 – Groups
• Group A: India, USA, Namibia, Netherlands, Pakistan
• Group B: Australia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Oman
• Group C: England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Italy, Nepal
• Group D: South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada, UAE. (Daily Mirror, 26.11.2025)
Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe by 8 wickets in the 5th Match of the Tri-Series, played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Scores:
Zimbabwe – 146/5 in 20 Overs (Raza 37, Burl 37no, Bennett 34, Thhekshana 2/23, Hasaranga 2/23)
Sri Lanka – 148/1 in 16.2 Overs (Nissanka 98no, Kusal Mendis 25, Evans 1/36)
Player of the Match: Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka)
The Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) ground in Colombo will get floodlights and other upgrades in preparation for the Men’s T20 World Cup, which Sri Lanka co-hosts with India in February and March next year. Although the SSC has occasionally hosted daytime limited-overs internationals – especially women’s games – Colombo’s day-night games have all been played at Khettarama (R Premadasa Stadium), which in any case is the highest-capacity stadium in the country. SSC’s first match that will require lights will be the T20 World Cup Group B game between Oman and Zimbabwe, scheduled to start at 3pm local time on February 9. It is one of five matches the SSC is due to host at this World Cup. The first of those – between Netherlands and Pakistan on February 7 – will begin at 11am local time whereas the third fixture – between Pakistan and USA on February 10 – is the only match there to start at 7pm local time. Khettarama is set to host at least eight matches, and possibly the first semi-final and the final if Pakistan make it that far. Pallekele, the only Sri Lanka World Cup venue not in Colombo, will host seven games. Building floodlights at the SSC will open up fresh possibilities for Sri Lankan cricket with day-night Tests becoming more viable in the country. Although Khettarama is the preferred limited-overs venue in Colombo, the SSC and the P Sara Oval are still preferred for Tests, owing partly to their reputation for being boutique Test venues. Sri Lanka has never hosted a day-night Test, but Sri Lanka’s Test captains have also asked their board to arrange such a fixture, over the years. SLC confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that floodlights construction were already under way at the SSC.The ICC announced the schedule for the T20 World Cup on Tuesday, with the tournament set to run from February 7 to March 8 across five venues in India and three in Sri Lanka. (Daily Island, 27.11.2025)
Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 6 runs in the 6th Match of the Tri-Series, played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Scores:
Sri Lanka – 184/5 in 20 Overs (Mishra 68no, Kusal Mendis 33, Liyanage 27no, Ahmad 2/28, Ayub 1/19)
Pakistan – 178/7 in 20 Overs (Agha 63no, Khan 33, Ayub 27, Nawaz 27, Chameera 4/26, Malinga 2/54)
Player of the Match: Dushmantha Chamera (Sri Lanka)
Pathum Nissanka has officially climbed to the top of Sri Lanka’s T20I batting records, becoming the nation’s highest run scorer in the format. His rise from a promising young opener in 2021 to the leading figure of Sri Lanka’s T20 batting unit in 2025 reflects a steady, disciplined and impactful journey. Across 77 matches and 76 innings, Nissanka has scored 2,326 runs, surpassing every Sri Lankan who has played the format before him. He averages 32.30 with a strike rate of 126.89, a combination that highlights both reliability at the crease and controlled acceleration when required. His tally includes 18 half centuries, making him one of the most consistent top order performers in Sri Lanka’s T20I history. Nissanka’s highest score, a superb 107 off 58 balls against India, remains the standout innings of his career. That century showcased the full range of his strokeplay, including precise footwork, clean hitting through the line and an ability to shift gears seamlessly. It also stands as one of Sri Lanka’s most memorable individual T20 performances of the decade. Alongside that hundred, Nissanka has struck 237 fours and 63 sixes, regularly providing Sri Lanka with strong starts during the powerplay and building momentum deeper into the innings. He has remained unbeaten four times and registered six ducks, statistics that add texture to an otherwise remarkably steady career graph. Nissanka’s ascent to the number one position on Sri Lanka’s all time T20I run list is more than a numerical achievement. It marks his transformation into the backbone of Sri Lanka’s short format batting. With his best years still ahead of him, the record he now holds looks set to grow even further, along with his influence on Sri Lanka’s future in global T20 cricket. (Daily Mirror, 27.11.2025)
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets in the Tri-Series T20 final, played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Scores:
Sri Lanka – 114 in 19.1 Overs (Mishara 59, Nawaz 3/17, Afridi 3/18, Ahmed 2/18)
Pakistan – 118/4 in 18.4 Overs (Azam 37no, Ayub 36, Rathnayake 2/11)
Pakistan won the 2025/20254 T20 Series.
Player of the Match: Mohammad Nawaz (Pakistan)
Player of the Series: Mohammad Nawaz (Pakistan)
