After the devastating World Test Championship series, the Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to travel to Sri Lanka for a series of all formats. The journey will start with the Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Test series. Both sides are well-prepared to face each other. Sri Lanka has more expectations regarding the matches as they are hosting the entire series.
On the other hand, Pakistan is confident with its efficient batting lineup and strong pace spells. Now, let us look at the match previews, predicted playing 11 for both teams and a few other important facts.
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st Test Match preview:
Sri Lanka will face Pakistan in the Test series consisting of two matches. The first match is starting on July 16 at the Galle International Cricket Stadium. Sri Lanka will enter the contest as favourites after their clean record over Ireland in a Test series earlier this season. Captain Dimuth Karunaratne will be expecting the side can positively start their home season.
On the opposite side, Pakistan will be coming into Sri Lanka vs Pakistan series as slight underdogs after losing a Test match against England and New Zealand in their home ground. Skipper Babar Azam is looking forward that his side can turn their fortunes around in this Test series.
Sri Lanka:
The hosts have selected their strongest squad for this two-match series against Pakistan. In the batting section, Sri Lanka will depend on the likes of captain Dimuth Karunaratne, wicket-keeper Dinesh Chandimal, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, all-rounders Dhananjaya de Silva and Angelo Matthews. They will deliver the bulk of the runs in this series opener match.
Since Jul 2022, Kusal Mendis has showcased brilliant form for the national team in red-ball cricket. In 10 innings, Mendis has listed 651 runs at an average of 65.10 with two tons and three half-tons. In terms of bowling, the onus will be on the likes of Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, and Dilshan Madushanka to deliver supporting breakthroughs.
Pakistan:
The PCB management, after failing to win a Test match in their previous 5 outings at home, is expecting a good comeback from the team. They will be hoping that the boys will show a better performance in this entire series of Sri Lanka vs Pakistan. In the batting department, the team will depend on captain Babar Azam, openers Imam-Ul Haq, Shan Masood, Mohammad Rizwan, and Saud Shakeel. Star wicketkeeper-batter Sarfaraz Ahmed will be expected too, to score the bulk of the runs.
Since Jul 2022, Skipper Azam has topped as a batter in the charts for Pakistan in Test cricket. In 14 innings, Babar Azam has made 845 runs at an average of 60.35. There he has enlisted three hundreds and five fifties to his name. In terms of the bowling section, the eyes will be on the pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Hasan Ali. The spinning department will be led by Abrar Ahmed and Agha Salman to jumble up the host’s batting strategies.
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st Test Predicted players:
Sri Lanka’s predicted playing 11:
Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Kusal Mendis; Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Angelo Matthews, Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Ramesh Mendis; Prabath Jayasuriya, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka.
Pakistan’s predicted playing 11:
Babar Azam (captain), Shan Masood/Abdullah Shafique; Imam-ul-Haq, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Sarfaraz Ahmed; Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah.
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Stats & Pitch Reports
Galle International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka is going to host the 1st Test of Sri Lanka vs Pakistan. The Islanders are confident enough as they have won their previous Test matches played in the same stadium.
Moreover, the pitch at Galle Stadium helps the peace bowlers with the new ball. Once the ball gets older, it gets easy for the batter to score easily on the pitch. The weather conditions for the inaugural Test match are predicted negative as thundery showers can disturb all five days of the match.
Conclusion:
At last, after analysing both teams, the hosts will ensure their chances of beating Pakistan in this first Test. With Angelo Matthews, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva and Dimuth Karunaratne in excellent form this season, Sri Lanka will be confident to put up a strong performance in this opening encounter.
On the other side, Skipper Babar Azam and his Pakistan have the firepower in the bowling and batting department to break down the opponents in this Sri Lanka vs Pakistan series. However, I guess Sri Lanka to produce a heavy-fight win against Pakistan in the opening match at Galle.