Sri Lanka Squad for ODI Tri-Series 2026: Full Players List

Sri Lanka will walk into the ODI tri-series in Pakistan with a squad that looks very different from the one first announced. The tournament runs from October 18 to October 31, with the Pakistan squad and England squad as the other two teams, and the islanders have been forced into late changes that could shape their entire campaign. Rawalpindi hosts the first three matches before the action moves to Lahore for the final leg and the final on October 31. For dates and venues, see the full tri-series schedule.

The biggest headline is the loss of Pathum Nissanka. The star opener has been ruled out with a left hamstring injury after failing to get medical clearance, and Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed on October 15 that Lahiru Udara will replace him in the 16 member squad. Udara is 32, has played five Tests and seven T20Is, and is still waiting for his ODI debut, but his blazing 91 off 55 balls against Pakistan in Rawalpindi on October 9 has made him impossible to ignore.

There is more churn behind that headline. Former captain Charith Asalanka has been dropped after a poor run of form, while Wanindu Hasaranga misses out with a hamstring injury of his own. In come Avishka Fernando, back in the ODI mix for the first time since February 2025, and all-rounder Sahan Arachchige. Kusal Mendis leads the side, and the new captain has a point to prove after Sri Lanka lost the T20I series 2-1 to Pakistan just days before this tournament.

Sri Lanka Squad for ODI Tri-Series 2026: Full Players List

The selectors have named a 16 member squad that blends experience with fresh faces. Kusal Mendis takes charge as captain and wicketkeeper, with Dasun Shanaka, the former captain, offering leadership support in the group. The batting order has a new look without Nissanka, while the bowling attack leans heavily on spin, with Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage and Sachindu Colombage all in the mix.

Here is the complete Sri Lanka squad for the ODI tri-series 2026, with the role of each player:

Big News: Nissanka Ruled Out, Udara Gets the Call

Pathum Nissanka hurt his left hamstring during the limited overs tour of England and never fully recovered. He was named in the original 16 member squad subject to fitness, but the medical team did not clear him, and Sri Lanka Cricket announced on October 15 that he will play no part in the tri-series. It is a massive blow. Since the start of 2024, only Kusal Mendis has scored more ODI runs for Sri Lanka than Nissanka, and his absence leaves a hole at the top of the order.

The replacement is Lahiru Udara, and the 32 year old has earned this chance the hard way. Udara has played five Tests and seven T20Is for Sri Lanka but has never played an ODI. He was left out of the Test squad for the coming series against Pakistan, which makes this white-ball call-up even more important for his career. His Test hundred earlier this year, a superb 188 against West Indies in July 2026, showed that he belongs at the top level.

What really forced the selectors to act was his form in the T20I series against Pakistan. Udara smashed 91 off just 55 balls in the first T20I in Rawalpindi on October 9, the highest score by a Sri Lanka batter in that series. He attacks the new ball, offers backup wicketkeeping cover, and averages 32.09 at a strike rate of 85.97 across 97 List A innings. Now he has a golden chance to lock down an ODI spot.

Asalanka Dropped, Fernando and Arachchige Return

The selectors have also made a brave call on Charith Asalanka. The former captain has been dropped from the ODI squad after a disappointing run of form on the England tour. It is a clear message that reputations will not protect anyone, and it gives the leadership group a new shape with Kusal Mendis firmly in charge.

Wanindu Hasaranga is another big name missing, with the star leg-spinner also ruled out by a hamstring injury. His absence puts extra load on Maheesh Theekshana and the young left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage, who must now carry the spin attack through six round-robin matches in two weeks.

The recalls are exciting. Avishka Fernando returns to the ODI setup for the first time since February 2025 after two recent domestic centuries reminded everyone of his talent. The right-hander has four ODI hundreds to his name and, on his day, can destroy any new-ball attack. All-rounder Sahan Arachchige also comes back into the fold, giving the team another flexible middle-order option who can bowl useful overs.

Key Players To Watch

Kusal Mendis is the man everything revolves around. The captain finished the T20I series against Pakistan with a sparkling 87 not out off 48 balls in the final match in Rawalpindi, dragging Sri Lanka to a consolation win. He has led the ODI side before in short stints and was handed the white-ball captaincy on a permanent basis earlier this year. If he bats deep, Sri Lanka can beat anyone in this tournament.

Kamindu Mendis is the most exciting young all-rounder in the squad. He made an unbeaten 40 off 27 balls in that same T20I win and offers left-arm spin to go with clean hitting in the middle order. His energy in the field lifts the whole team, and Pakistan and England will have plans ready for him.

With the ball, Maheesh Theekshana remains the mystery factor. Batters around the world still struggle to read his variations, and on the dry surfaces of Rawalpindi and Lahore he could be a match-winner. Dasun Shanaka brings all-round value and big-match calm, fresh from taking three wickets for 21 runs in the third T20I against Pakistan. Keep an eye on Avishka Fernando too. A hungry batter with a point to prove is always dangerous.

Strengths of This Sri Lanka Squad

The spin department is the clear strength. Theekshana, Wellalage and Colombage offer three different styles of spin, while Kamindu Mendis and Sahan Arachchige can chip in with handy overs. In Pakistani conditions, where the ball can grip in the second innings, this variety could strangle even the best batting line-ups.

The all-round depth is impressive. Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Arachchige, Janith Liyanage and Wellalage all bat and bowl, which gives the captain options in every phase of the game. The fielding unit is young and athletic, and although the T20I series ended in a 2-1 defeat, the strong win in the final match showed real fight.

There is also a freshness factor. Udara, Mishara, Rathnayake and Colombage all have everything to prove, and hungry players often produce the best cricket. The Lahore leg of the tournament packs three matches into five days, which will test fitness and nerve, and this group looks ready for that grind.

Concerns for Sri Lanka

Losing Nissanka cannot be overstated. He was the one batter in the top order with the game to dominate world-class new-ball attacks, and without him the top three looks thin on experience. If Udara or Avishka Fernando fail early in the tournament, the pressure on Mendis and the middle order will be intense.

The pace attack also looks light. Dushmantha Chameera leads it, but he has had his own fitness battles, and the support cast of Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka and Eshan Malinga is short on ODI experience. Against the deep batting of Pakistan and England, the quicks must strike early, or the spinners will be left defending big totals.

Recent form is another worry. Sri Lanka lost the T20I series 2-1 to Pakistan and were beaten 2-1 in the ODI series in England before that. Winning habits matter in triangular tournaments where every game counts toward the final, and this young group must learn to close out tight matches.

Predicted Playing XI

With Nissanka out, the opening combination picks itself in one sense and remains a gamble in another. Udara should open with Mendis, with Avishka Fernando slotting in at number three. The middle order has the left-handed flair of Kamil Mishara and Kamindu Mendis, while the all-rounders give the team six bowling options.

Here is the likely Sri Lanka playing eleven for the tri-series opener against Pakistan in Rawalpindi on October 18:

Asitha Fernando and Eshan Malinga wait in the wings if the quicks misfire, while Janith Liyanage offers another seam-bowling all-round option. Pavan Rathnayake and Sachindu Colombage are the backup batter and spinner, ready if conditions or form demand a change. With all three squads now confirmed, the race to the October 31 final is wide open. Don’t miss our rundown of the 5 key players to watch who could decide where the trophy goes.

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