Sri Lanka's selectors have axed middle order batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan in a surprise shake-up of the squad for the two-Test series against Pakistan starting later this month.
Dilshan's place appeared secure after Test centuries against England and Australia in the past year, but the selectors acted ruthlessly after a 14-innings sequence without a fifty.
Sri Lanka have picked a young 15-man squad for the tour with several players gaining recognition after good performances with the 'A' team.
Batsmen Avishka Gunawadene and Saman Jayantha, fast bowler Nuwan Zoysa and spin all-rounder Kaushal Lokuarachchi return home after the triangular one-day series concludes in Lahore this weekend.
Upon their return, Gunawardene and Lokuarachchi will face a disciplinary inquiry launched to look into allegations of drunken misconduct during the ICC Champions Trophy.
Test specialist Thilan Samaraweera and veteran Romesh Kaluwitharana, who will keep wicket so Kumar Sangakkara can concentrate on his batting, return as expected.
Left-hander Jehan Mubarak, uncapped opener Ian Daniel and uncapped middle order batsman Thilina Kandamby have been included after starring for the 'A' team.
Rookie fast bowler Lasith Malinga, who bowls with a round-arm action, has been selected as part of a four-man pace quartet led by Chaminda Vaas.
In the absence of star spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who is recovering from a shoulder operation, leg spinner Upul Chandana and left-arm spinner Rangana Herath are the only two slow bowling specialists.
The series starts in Faisalabad on October 20, followed by the second Test in Karachi on October 28.
The squad selection has been sent to the sports ministry for ratification.
Squad: Marvan Atapattu (captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Jehan Mubarak, Ian Daniel, Thilina Kandamby, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Upul Chandana, Chaminda Vaas, Farveez Maharoof, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Rangana Herath.
