Sri Lanka’s premier pacer Suranga Lakmal has been ruled out of the two-match Test series against Pakistan after being diagnosed with dengue.

22-year-old Asitha Fernando has been named Lakmal’s replacement, earning his maiden Test call up for Sri Lanka.

Lakmal has been Sri Lanka’s  pace spearhead in Tests for the past a few years. The 32-year-old veteran has picked up 141 wickets in 59 Tests and has been vital in away Tests for the islanders.

His replacement Fernando is currently playing for the U-23 team in the South Asian Games in Nepal and is expected to join the team only for the second Test.

In Lakmal’s absence, Sri Lanka’s pace attack will be led by Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando and Kasun Rajitha.

This will be the first time in ten years Pakistan will be hosting a Test series at home. The two-match series begins on December 11 at Rawalpindi before moving to Karachi for the final game on December 19.