Lanka name 15-member Test squad against Pakistan :

Jeevan Mendis only uncapped player

Leg spinning all rounder Jeevan Mendis is the only uncapped player in the 15-member Sri Lanka squad named by the Cricket Selectors led by former Sri Lanka fast bowling all rounder Asantha de Mel. Mendis wa named in the squad from which the final eleven will be picked to play Pakistan in the First of Three Test matches beginning at the Galle International Stadium on Friday.

Mendis played a big role in final One-Day Game which was won against Pakistan and this effort would have prompted the selectors to include him in the squad.

That Mendis has immense potential there is no doubt. He is a clever and tantalising leg spinner with a repertoire of deliveries. He is not afraid to give the ball air and tease the batsmen.

As a batsman he could wade into any attack and score runs and when the occasion demands can use the long handle. As a fielder he is brilliant and has the knack of raising the standard of fielding with his agility.

A leg spinner is expected to buy his wickets and if he plays he should remember this. It is not all captains who have faith in leg spinners. But in Mahela Jayawardena he has a captain who is fearless and has faith in leg spinners. A good leg spinner can always be a match winner.

The squad is well balanced in all departments and if they play true to form, there is no reason why they can’t beat the Pakistanis and gain revenge for the Test defeats in the desert.

Missing from the squad is left hander Lahiru Thirimanne who opened batting against England, but could not find form. The squad: Mahela Jayawardena (Capt), Angelo Mathews (V.Capt), Tillekeratne Dilshan, Tharanga Paranavitharne, Kumar Sangakkara, Thilan Samaraweera, Dinesh Chandimal, Prasanna Jayawardena (WK), Chanaka Welegedra, Suraj Randiv, Rangana Herath, Nuwan Kulesekea, Nuwan Pradeep, Thisara Perera and Jeevan Mendis.

Pakistan will miss suspended Misbah

Pakistan will be sans their skipper Misbah-Ul-Haq for the First of Three Test matches against Sri Lanka beginning at the Galle International Cricket Stadium on Friday.

This is because he has received a one-match suspension from the International Cricket Council having been found guilty of bowling a slow over-rate in the final ODI against Sri Lanka at the R.Premadasa Stadium on Monday. Pakistan fell three over short of their target even after the time allowances were considered.

Misbah pleaded guilty to the charge laid by the umpires and the penalty accepted without calling for a formal hearing.

This was Pakistan’s first serious offence in the past 12 months. Emirates Panel of Match referees Chris Broad handed Misbah two suspension points, while each of the players receive a 40 per cent fine and 10 per cent for each of the first two overs and a 20 per cent penalty for the additional overs according to a statement from the ICC.

Pakistan will certainly miss the guiding influence of Misbah who has been among the runs in the two Twenty20 games and the One Day Internationals.