Sri Lanka v Pakistan Test series: All you need to know

The Cricketer provides all the information you need ahead of the two-Test series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan

What is it?

Sri Lanka play host to Pakistan in a two-match Test series this month as part of the 2021-23 ICC World Test Championship Cycle.

Where is it?

The first match will be played at Galle International Stadium, before the series moves to Sri Lanka's commercial capital for the second and final match at Colombo Stadium.

When is it?

The series kicks off on Saturday July 16, with the first ball scheduled to be bowled at 10am local time (5:30am BST).

The second match starts at the same time and will be played from July 24 to July 28.

What's on the line?

Sri Lanka will be looking to build on their positive results against Australia recently, when the hosts won the five-match ODI series and beat the Aussies by an innings and 39 runs in the second of two Tests. Pakistan, a side more suited to subcontinental conditions, will provide a good measure of where the rejuvenated Sri Lankans are at.

^{Sri Lanka recently drew a two-Test series against Australia [Ishara S Kodikara/Getty Images]}

Pakistan have only played one Test series since Christmas - an exhilarating three-match series against Australia that saw Pakistan play out two exciting draws before losing the final match. Fast bowling coach Shaun Tait has spoken about Pakistan being 'really hungry' after falling short against the Australians and they will be keen to make amends with a good win in Sri Lanka.

Of course, it won't just be respect and ICC rankings on the line in this series, but World Test Championship points are available too. With two wins, Sri Lanka would remain in third but would be closer to challenging Australia for a place in the final, while Pakistan could leapfrog their opponents if they take away maximum points.

Head-to-head record

These two sides have contested 55 Test matches in their history, with Sri Lanka running out winners on 16 occasions and Pakistan victorious 20 times. Just over a third of their meetings, 19, have ended in a draw.

Who's involved?

Sri Lanka have opted to leave out experienced spinners Lasith Embuldeniya, who took 15 wickets in two matches against England in 2021, and Praveen Jayawickrama in favour of younger blood for this series. Both Embuldeniya and Jayawickrama have been left out on account of bad form, with Prabath Jayasuriya, fresh from taking 12 wickets in the match at an average of 14.75 on a victorious Test debut against Australia, and uncapped 19-year-old Dunith Wellalage taking their places.

There are no real surprises in the Sri Lankan batting line-up; in-form Dimuth Karunaratne will lead his side out, with Kamindu Mendis keeping his place after a half-century against Australia. In the pace department, Kasun Rajitha and Asitha Fernando are the leading options – Sri Lanka may choose to play just one of them, as they did in the Australia series.

Yasir Shah's return is the headline from the Pakistan squad. The 36-year-old spinner comes back into the fold for the first time since last August, replacing Sajid Khan. Injuries have plagued the leg-break bowler for the past year, but his return comes just as the right time – Shah finished Pakistan’s last Test tour of Sri Lanka as the leading wicket-taker, with 24 dismissals at an average of 19.33.

Mohammad Nawaz returns to the squad having missed out against Australia, while Salman Ali Agha has received his maiden Test call-up. The allrounder has impressed in first-class cricket with 4,224 runs and 88 wickets and bolsters the side's spin bowling options. Usual names like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan and Hassan Ali join captain Babar Azam in a very strong squad.

^{Shaheen Shah Afridi is among the players in Pakistan's squad [Aamir Qureshi/Getty Images]}

Sri Lanka squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Prabath Jayasuriya, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc, wk), Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Hassan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi, Shan Masood and Yasir Shah

What's the weather like?

The first Test match may see some stoppages, with thundery showers expected to disrupt the otherwise sunny conditions in Galle. The forecast for the second Test looks a little better, with overcast conditions anticipated to cloud the Colombo Test.

Who are the bookies favourite?

While they may be coming off a win and are hosting the series, Sri Lanka are the bookies' outside choice, with best odds of 28/13 for them to win the series outright. Pakistan are placed at 22/19 favourites, while the chances of a drawn series are valued at 33/10.

Where can I follow it?

The Test series will be available to watch on Sony Pictures Network. 

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