Asitha Fernando joins squad as 17th member

Sri Lanka's 25-year-old right-arm medium pacer Ashita Fernando, who was selected in the squad but was ruled out because of dengue, has joined the squad as 17th member.

"He will not play the first Test but the team management wanted him to travel to Galle for the first Test", the source in the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) explained. "He is recovering from dengue and attending the net sessions and may be considered for the second Test. At present he may not be sitting in the dugout during the first Test".  

Ashita Fernando has experience of playing 11-red ball Tests.

Sri Lanka's 25-year-top order batter Pathum Nissanka was the last minute choice added to the squad to cover the Test captain Dimuth Karunratne, it is reliably learned.

According to the highly placed sources in the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board office, the selectors were to name the 15 players for the first Test against Pakistan and when learned that Dimuth Karunratne is still recovering from his hamstring injury the right-hand batter was named in the 16-member squad announced on Thursday.

"He was not to be in the original squad of 16 announced by the SLC on Thursday, but this last-minute change has been made," the source, aware of the development,  revealed.

"Pathum joined the squad on Thursday late evening.

The Test captain Dimuth Katunratne has also joined the team on Thursday.

The captain is being assessed for his hamstring injury and his availability for the first Test commencing on Sunday may be decided on the same day of the Test.