Anjala Bandara received his maiden call-up to the Sri Lanka Test squad for the upcoming two-match series against Pakistan, starting November 9.
Anjala Bandara set for a Test debut against Pakistan
Bandara, a 22-year-old wicketkeeper, is likely to make his international debut after being named in Sri Lanka's 15-man squad for the two Tests in Pakistan. With Kusal Mendis promoted to captaincy, it is believed he could be giving up the big gloves for Bandara.
Bandara has been knocking on the door of the Test side for a while. He was close to getting a call-up for the India series but eventually missed out to Niroshan Dickwella, who has now been left out.
The left-hand batter was a part of the 2022 Under-19 World Cup. While he didn't make a mark there, he has taken the domestic arena by storm in recent months. He started living up to his promise from the Major League Tournament 2025/26, where he finished as the third-highest run-getter with 851 runs at 53.18 to go with another 365 runs at 60.83 in the National Super League 4-Day Competition 2025/26.
Bandara's numbers in red-ball cricket this year are quite extraordinary: he has 1,426 runs at an average of 95, with six centuries. He started the year with a sublime 200 not out for Colombo Cricket Club against Police Sports Club in the Major League Tournament. Three months later, he hammered an unbeaten 151 in a Super Eight fixture against Burgher Recreation Club. He continued his form in the following month's National Super League 4-Day Competition, where he made 128 against Kandy District.
Unsurprisingly, he was picked for Sri Lanka Emerging Players against West Indies Academy at home, where he smashed 163 and 189 not out in the first unofficial Test. He followed it up with 105 not out off 137 deliveries in the second game. He was then picked in the Sri Lanka A side against India A but couldn't make much impact, with 42, 18, 17, and 15 runs across four innings.
Overall, Bandara has played 31 first-class matches, amassing 2,239 runs at an incredible average of 65.85. He has seven centuries in the format, including a double century. His white-ball record isn't as impressive but he still averages 49.28 at a strike rate of 81 with two hundreds.
Sri Lanka squad for Pakistan Test series
Kusal Mendis (c & wk), Anjala Bandara (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sonal Dinusha, Dhananjaya de Silva, Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Rathnayaka, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Eshan Malinga, Dilshan Madushanka.
Image: Sri Lanka Cricket/X
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