Vishmi Gunaratne back in Sri Lanka squad for Pakistan ODIs

Wicketkeeper Anushka Sanjeewani and uncapped quick Rashmika Sewwandi earn recalls while promising seamer Malki Madara is left out

Vishmi Gunaratne has returned to Sri Lanka's ODI setup after being named in the 15-member squad for the home series against Pakistan. That could mean Sri Lanka potentially reinstating her as an opening pairing with skipper Chamari Athapaththu.

Wicketkeeper Anushka Sanjeewani and uncapped seamer Rashmika Sewwandi also earned recalls with Kaushini Nuthyangana, Piumi Wathsala, Malki Madara and Sugandika Kumari all making way from the side that swept Bangladesh 3-0 in April.

Of those excluded, Madara might feel the most hard-done by. The 25-year-old seamer had picked up eight wickets across six ODIs since the start of the year - her most effective period in the format since debuting in 2025 - but Sri Lanka have opted to trial 19-year-old quick Sewwandi instead.

With conditions in Hambantota, where all three ODIs and subsequent T20s will take place, not expected to take that much turn, the exclusion of Kumari tracks - particularly with the squad being trimmed from 16 to 15 players, and other spin options available in the likes of Inoka Ranaweera, Dewmi Vihanga, Kavisha Dilhari, Nimasha Meepage and Athapaththu.

The recall of Gunaratne however has given rise to a selection dilemma at the top of the order. Since returning to the opening slot at the start of the year, Hasini Perera has struck 229 runs at an average of 38.16, inclusive of two fifties. Her brief stint at no.3 towards the latter part of last year, which had brought scores of 44, 4 and 85 across three innings, hints at a return to that position to accommodate Gunaratne in the XI.

The rest of the batting line-up shapes up as expected with the return of Sanjeewani also set to bolster Sri Lanka's lower order batting.

The seam contingent though holds a youthful flavour, with 23-year-old Kawya Kavindi the most experienced of the bunch with five matches under her belt. Chethana Vimukthi, 24, has played three ODIs while Sewwandi is yet to make her ODI debut.

The three ODIs will take place on July 23, 25 and 28, all in Hambantota. The series will be a part of ICC Women's Championship 2025-2029 cycle.

Sri Lanka squad for the women's ODI series against Pakistan

Chamari Athapaththu (capt.), Vishmi Gunaratne, Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Hansima Karunaratne, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani, Chethana Vimukthi, Inoka Ranaweera, Nimasha Meepage, Imesha Dulani, Dewmi Vihanga, Rashmika Sewwandi, Kawya Kavindi