Russel Arnold 'surprised' after Sri Lanka announces a full-strength squad for Pakistan Test series

Sri Lanka is set to become the first full-member nation to play a Test match series on Pakistan when they tour the terror-ravaged nation for a two-match Test series in 10 years. After the terror attacks during the 2009 Test series in Lahore- on the Sri Lankan team ironically- no team has come and played a Test series in Pakistan. Both sides will lock horns in two Test matches which are scheduled to take place in Rawalpindi and Karachi and are the part of the ongoing ICC Test Championship.

Sri Lanka had recently visited Pakistan for a three-match T20I series with a second-string side; one that proceeded to beat the hosts 0-3. Since then expectations had galore from Pakistani side as far as reviving five-day cricket back in the country is concerned. However, the biggest question, considering the tight and curfew type situation, was surrounding Sir Lanka’s senior players- Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Matthews, Kusal Perera- all of whom who had made themselves unavailable for the Twenty20 International series.

So, when a full-strength side for the Test matches was announced by the selectors, it surprised everyone, including former cricketer-turned-commentator, Rusell Arnold. Arnold took to Twitter where he wrote “Surprised that SL have picked a full-strength team for the upcoming Tests  …. I mean after the T20’s 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️”

Sri Lanka whitewashed Pakistan in the T20Is with their second-string side earlier this year

Sri Lankan announced a full-strength 15-member touring party for the two-Test matches- led by Dimuth Karunaratne- while the likes of Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Matthews have had also been added to the squad. Kasun Rajitha is the only change in the squad that played home Tests against New Zealand, who comes in place of Akila Dananjaya, who was suspended from bowling in international cricket for twelve months due to an illegal action.

In case you don’t know, Sri Lanka was originally scheduled to play the Test series in October and then come back to Pakistan in December for the white-ball series. But later the series’ were swapped. 

Here’s what Russel Arnold tweeted-

Surprised that SL have picked a full strength team for the upcoming Tests …. I mean after the T20’s 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) November 30, 2019

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