Chaminda Vaas is back, but not Muttiah Muralitharan © AFP Enlarge
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Chaminda Vaas has been recalled by Sri Lanka for the third Test against Pakistan in Colombo starting on Monday. Vaas - who replaces offspinner Suraj Randiv in a 16-man squad - last represented Sri Lanka in February in the abruptly terminated Test series in Pakistan.

On July 4 this year Ashantha de Mel, Sri Lanka's chief selector, had been quoted in the press saying that Vaas had retired from Test cricket. However, Vaas, speaking to Cricinfo, denied any such claims. He had previously said he had his sights set on the 2011 World Cup.

Vaas, 35, was axed from the Sri Lanka Twenty20 side last October, missing the four-nation tournament in Canada. He kept his place in the Test side and featured in the Karachi match earlier this year but was dropped for the aborted Lahore Test after going wicketless in 36 overs. If included at the SSC, Vaas will have a chance to add to his 354 wickets in 110 Tests.

Muttiah Muralitharan was not considered as he continues to recover from an injury that ruled him out of the first two Tests.

Victory for Sri Lanka would give them a clean sweep in the Test series.

Sri Lanka squad: Kumar Sangakkara (capt), Mahela Jayawardene, Tharanga Paranavitana, Malinda Warnapura, Thilan Samaraweera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Angelo Matthews, Rangana Herath, Nuwan Kulasekara, Thilan Thushara, Chaminda Vaas, Ajantha Mendis, Chamara Kapugedara, Kaushal Silva, Suranga Lakmal, Dammika Prasad.