Pakistan cricket team led by Babar Azam arrived yesterday here to play two Test match series which will commence on July 16 at Galle International cricket stadium. Pakistan team will play a two-day warm-up game on July 11 and 12 at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium Hambantota, before moving into Galle to play the first Test Match.
The first Test will be played from July 16 to 20 at Galle while the second will commence at the SSC, Colombo, on July 24. This test series is a part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023–25. The Two teams played their last Test series at Galle while ended in a one all draw.
Meanwhile Pakistan have named a 16-member squad for their upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka The squad is strengthened by the return of star pacer Shaheen Afridi, who last featured in the longer format in July 2022 when he suffered a knee injury in a Test against Sri Lanka.
Pakistan have also decided to include two uncapped players in the squad, with batsman Mohammad Huraira and all-rounder Aamir Jamal getting call-ups. The squad will be led by Babar Azam, who will have the services of fellow stars like Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Hasan Ali and Naseem Shah available at his disposal.
The two Test matches will form a part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25. Sri Lanka already named 15 member Test squad and it is subject to approval from the Sports Minister. Dimuth Karunaratne once again will lead the Sri Lanka Test team while two experienced players Angelo Matthews who is in terrific form having back to back three centuries at ongoing Major clubs three day tournament and Dinesh Chandimal are among 15 member squad. However selectors not included Pathum Nissanka for this squad as he has hectic schedule at white ball format while Nishan Madushka the wicket keeper with Dimuth Karunaratne named as openers while promising off spinner Lakshitha Mansinghe recalled for the squad with regular off spinner Ramesh Mendis. Manasinghe with two five wickets hauls against South Africa A in their Sri Lanka A series recently while leg spinner Praveen Jayawickrama also in the squad with key leggie Prabath Jayasuriya. Three paceman Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando and Asitha Fernando are in the squad but Asitha who is recovering from Dengue Fever most probably out from first test at Galle and left arm paceman Dilshan Madushanka is named as replacement for first Test. Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis are named as middle order batters while number three batter Kusal Mendis also in the squad.
Sri Lanka Test squad for Pakistan series (subjected to approval from the sports Minister) Dimuth Karunaratne (Captain), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Nishan Madushka (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lakshitha Manasinghe, Praveen Jayawickrema, Asitha Fernando/Dilshan Madushka, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha.
Pakistan Test squad: Babar Azam (Capt), Mohammad Rizwan (v.captain & wk), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi and Shan Masood.
Dhammika Ratnaweera
