Pathum Nissanka ruled out of Pakistan Test series

Daily Mirror reports that Sri Lanka batter Pathum Nissanka will miss the upcoming two-match Test series in Pakistan as he recovers from a left hamstring injury. Newswire also reports his absence and says Lahiru Udara has been recalled; the available reports do not provide further details about Sri Lanka’s squad.

ThePapare and Ada Derana report that Pakistan has named a 14-player squad led by Babar Azam. ThePapare says Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan are left out. It reports that Masood had a minor injury during the domestic President’s Cup and was also below expectations on the recent England tour; the Pakistan Cricket Board’s statement did not explain his omission.

ThePapare reports that Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq, who were recalled from the England tour and faced an inquiry by Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency, were also omitted. It says Salman Agha and Ali Usman return to the squad. ThePapare adds that Shafique had scored 185 in a first-class match the previous week, following an unbeaten 184 against the West Indies, but was not selected.

Newswire reports that the two Tests are scheduled to start on 9 November. Hiru News describes the series as part of the World Test Championship; no report in the supplied material gives further scheduling or venue details.