Jayawardene returns to Sri Lankan side for upcoming Test series against Pak

Former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene has reportedly returned to the side for the three-Test series against Pakistan starting in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) later this month.

The stylish right-hander is one of 11 batsmen worldwide and only the second Sri Lankan alongside current teammate Kumar Sangakkara to score more than 10,000 runs in Tests.

According to Sport24, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said in a statement that Jayawardene, who opted out of the ongoing limited-overs series for personal reasons, was named in the 16-man squad led by all-rounder Angelo Mathews.

Meanwhile, the report mentioned that young left-arm seamer Vishwa Fernando, who has claimed 37 wickets in 15 first-class matches, is the new face in the squad and all-rounder Dilruwan Perera, who is yet to play Test cricket, has also been picked by the selectors.

The first Test starts in Abu Dhabi on December 31, the second in Dubai from January 8 to 12 and the third in Sharjah from January 16 to 20, the report added.

Sri Lanka's Test squad: Mathews (captain), Dinesh Chandimal, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kumar Sangakkara, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jayawardene, Prasanna Jayawardene, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Shaminda Eranga, Fernando, Sachithra Senananyake, Nuwan Pradeep, Rangana Herath, Perera.