Kasun Rajitha picks for Pakistan Tests

Sri Lanka has picked a full strength 16-man squad for the two-match Test series against Pakistan next month as the national test team undertakes a historic tour to the landlocked country--ten years after their fellow cricketers were ambushed by armed gunmen.

Many of them including skipper Dimuth Karunaratne refused to travel in September for the limited over-leg citing security concerns but have returned to the side for the Test series. 

Seamer Kasun Rajitha has come back to the side replacing suspended spinner Akila Dananjaya which is the only change in the 16-man squad announced today. Rajitha has played six games for Sri Lanka so far and had picked up 22 wickets.
The Test series was originally scheduled to be played in October - with the limited-over series initially slated for December - and was reportedly supposed to be played at a neutral venue as Sri Lankan players had refused to tour Pakistan. 

But PCB requested Sri Lanka to play the entire bilateral series in Pakistan, assuring the highest level of security. The limited-overs series was then played first as a test for security measures taken by the hosts. Following the success of the tour, a convinced Sri Lanka agreed to play in Pakistan again.
 
Sri Lanka Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne – Captain, Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Janith Perera, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dhananjaya De Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Dilruwan Perera, Lasith Embuldeniya, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Lakshan Sandakan