Colombo: Sri Lanka has recalled batsman Jehan Mubarak after an absence of nearly eight years, and aggressive one-day specialist Kusal Perera has also been named in a 16-man squad for next week's opener of a three test series against Pakistan.
Mubarak played his last test for Sri Lanka against Bangladesh in 2007 and has played limited overs cricket occasionally for his country.
He averages only 15 in 10 test appearances but fills the need for experience in the middle order after the retirement of Mahela Jayawardene.
The 34-year-old Mubarak has played 168 first class matches and scored more than 10,000 runs. Perera's inclusion is backed by good performance in the recent home series against Pakistan A, which included two centuries and a half-century.
Young fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera, who had not played a test but appeared in a couple of one-day internationals for Sri Lanka, has also been named.
Led by Angelo Mathews the squad has nine specialist batsmen.
Experienced Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera and Tharindu Kaushal are the three spin bowlers. Chameera, Nuwan Pradeep and Dhammika Prasad are the specialist fast bowlers, while Suranga Lakmal's inclusion is subject to fitness.
The first test will begin in Galle next Wednesday.
Squad:
Angelo Mathews (captain), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kaushal Silva, Dimuth Karunaratne , Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kithruwan Vithanage, Jehan Mubarak, Kusal Perera, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Tharindu Kaushal, Nuwan Pradeep, Dhammika Prasad, Dushmantha Chameera, Suranga Lakmal.
