Sri Lanka has suffered a major setback ahead of the upcoming two-match Test series in Pakistan, as they will be without the services of their ace pacer Suranga Lakmal due to dengue.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Chief Exective Officer (CEO) Ashley De Silva confirmed the aforementioned development on Saturday.

“He is down with dengue and will not be travelling with the team,” said de Silva.

Right-arm pacer Asitha Fernando is likely to replace Lakmal in the Test squad.

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Lakmal was part of the Sri Lanka team that was attacked by armed gunmen in 2009 in Lahore, which injured several Sri Lanka cricketers.

The Islanders will depart for Pakistan on December 8, Sunday for the series.

The two-match Test series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will begin on December 11 in Rawalpindi.