Babar Azam-led Pakistan Test team will aim to clinch the two-match ICC World Test Championship series against visitors Sri Lanka after the hosts’ white-ball team won the three-match T20I series 2-1 and triumphed in the ODI tri-nation series as well.
Sri Lanka will also be looking to conclude their all-format tour, which began on 9 October, with a series win. They began the red-ball leg of the tour well by winning the three-day practice match against PCB Patron’s XI by 142 runs.
The two teams will lock horns in the first match of the series from Monday, 9 November at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium with the first ball scheduled to be bowled at 9.30am PKT. The second Test match will take place at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore from 17 to 21 November.
The 16-member Pakistan Test squad comprises of eight uncapped players including fast bowling duo of Ali Shabbir, Saqib Khan, spin-bowling all-rounder Arafat Minhas and batters Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Tayyab Arif, Mohammad Taha, Saad Baig and Sameer Minhas.
Among other batters are skipper Babar, who is on the verge of completing 5,000 Test runs, Salman Ali Agha, who was player of the series when Pakistan last faced Sri Lanka in a Test series in 2023, Azan Awais – who is set to play his first home Test after seven outings in the format.
Fast bowling all-rounder Aamir Jamal has also received a call-up after his impressive domestic performances recently, while the experienced Mohammad Abbas will lead the pace attack. Wicketkeeper Muhammad Ghazi Ghori and Razaullah, who made their Test debuts in Pakistan’s recent most red-ball match, are also part of the squad.
Kusal Mendis will begin his tenure as Sri Lanka’s Test captain and the Rawalpindi Test will be his first in-charge having led the Island Nation in six T20Is and 27 ODIs. Both the teams have held only one full-fledged training session each as Sri Lanka are coming on the back of the three-day practice match where nine of Pakistan’s squad members also took the field for PCB Patron’s XI.
On head-to-head front, Pakistan hold an edge over Sri Lanka with 23 Test match wins from 59 matches. Sri Lanka have won 17, while 19 ended in draw. Since 1982, Pakistan has won 10 bilateral Test series, while Sri Lanka have won six with the last coming in 2017.
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka 2-0 in the last meeting of the two teams in Tests in July 2023 where they won the Galle Test by four wickets and Colombo (SSC) Test by an innings and 222 runs.
Babar Azam, Pakistan captain
“We are fully focused on this two-match Test series and most of our players are coming into the first Test on the back of red-ball cricket, which is a good sign. The squad has a lot of energy and exuberance and we will look to continue the winning momentum as the team prevailed in T20Is and ODI tri-series recently.
“It is also important to note that this series also marks the beginning of a rebuilding phase for the Pakistan Test team as we look to conclude the ongoing cycle of World Test Championship on a positive note. The intent is to build a vast and strong pool of players for both home and away conditions so that we can turn the tables in the next cycle.”
Kusal Mendis, Sri Lanka captain
“I’m excited to begin as Sri Lanka Test captain with this series. We will look to continue playing good cricket as we did in White-ball leg of the tour.
“We will have to be patient in Test Cricket. We have started well with a win in the practice match and look forward to put up good performances in Test series as well.”
16-member Pakistan Test squad
Babar Azam (captain), Aamir Jamal, Ali Shabbir, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Taha, Muhammad Tayyab Arif, Razaullah, Saad Baig (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Sameer Minhas, Saqib Khan and Saud Shakeel
Sri Lanka Test squad
Kusal Mendis (c), Anjala Bandara, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya De Silva, Sonal Dinusha, Asitha Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga, Kamindu Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Keshara Nuwantha, Milan Rathnayaka, Pasindu Sooriyabandara
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