Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 1st Test: Match Preview, Head to Head, Playing XI and Broadcast Details

Sri Lanka and Pakistan are set to lock horns for a two-match Test series, starting on July 16. The first Test match will be played in Galle and the second one in Colombo on July 24. Sri Lanka will look to pick up from where they left off in their previous game against Australia in Galle, winning the match by an innings and 39 runs.

Pakistan, on the other hand, will look to redeem themselves after losing by 1-0 to Australia in a three-match series. This is also the battle of number three and four in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), as Sri Lanka have four wins and three losses in eight games, while Pakistan have three wins and two losses in seven games.

Overall, Sri Lanka have won two of their last five matches with one draw, while Babar Azam’s side has won two and drawn two in their last five games. Sri Lanka spinners were the main performers in their previous series and the team management is likely to stick to the same spin combination for the first game against Pakistan. Pakistan off-spinner Sajid Khan has been left out of the squad and hence leg-spinner Yasir Shah might get the nod in starting lineup. Their pace attack will be led by Shaheen Afridi, as always.

Pitch conditions

Both the matches of the series between Sri Lanka and Australia were played in Galle, and it favoured the spinners throughout the game. This surface looks likely to offer something for the batters in the first two days. And from the third day, there is a possibility of the ball turning square. It will be challenging for the batters from then on to negotiate spin.

Playing Combinations for SL vs PAK

Sri Lanka

The hosts might go with the same bowling combination of Prabath Jayasuriya, Maheesh Theekshana, Ramesh Mendis after their performance in the previous game. Asitha Fernando could return to the squad for Kasun Rajitha, after recovering from Covid-19. Batter Pathum Nissanka is also out due to Covid-19 and Oshada Fernando could take his place.

Predicted Playing XI: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya

Pakistan

Pakistan would go with their popular pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Hasan Ali, along with two spinners, Yasir Shah and Nauman Ali. Veteran batter Fawad Alam might get the nod despite having two poor games against Australia earlier. Abdullah Shafique is expected to open the innings along with Imam-ul-Haq for Babar’s side.

Predicted Playing XI: Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam (c), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Nauman Ali, Yasir Shah, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah

SL vs PAK Head to Head

Played- 55 | Sri Lanka- 16 | Pakistan – 20 | Draw- 19

SL vs PAK Broadcast Details

Match Timings – 10:00 AM IST

Telecast & Live Streaming – Sony Sports Network & SonyLIV