Pakistan's upcoming tour of Sri Lanka finalised; itinerary announced

The itinerary for Pakistan's upcoming tour of Sri Lanka has been announced, with the two teams set to take on each other in a two-match Test series. The first Test is scheduled to be played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium in Galle from July 16 to 20, while the second Test of the series is slated to played at the Singhalese Sports Club in the capital city, Colombo from July 24.

Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka will kickstart their two-year-long journey in the World Test Championship with the upcoming series and would look to get off to a winning start. Pakistan will be led by their regular skipper Babar Azam, as the selection committee has already announced a formidable 16-member squad for the tour.

The tour will mark the return of star left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi and batter Mohammad Huraira and allrounder Aamer Jamal have earned maiden Test call-ups. Interestingly enough, Shaheen last donned the whites for the Babar Azam-led side in Sri Lanka last year. He has played 25 Tests thus far since making his debut in the UAE against New Zealand in December 2018. The left-arm seamer has picked up 99 wickets in the longest format of the game at an impressive average of 24.86.

On the other hand, the Lankan Lions haven't announced their team for the series and are currently battling for a spot in the upcoming ODI World Cup in India, slated to be played in October and November in India. The Dasun Shanaka-led side has only played one game in the ongoing ODI World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe.

They defeated the UAE in a Group fixture in Bulawayo on June 19 by a massive margin of 175 runs. Leg spinner Wanindu Hasaranga was the star for the island nation in the game as he scored an unbeaten 23 off 12 balls and bagged a six-for while conceding just 24 runs in eight overs.

Pakistan Tour of Sri Lanka Tests schedule