Tag: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka

GALLE: Pakistan’s wicketkeeper batter Sarfaraz Ahmed on Monday, added another feather to his cap as he completed 3000 runs in Test cricket.

Sarfaraz Ahmed achieved the milestone when he surpassed eight runs in the first innings of the ongoing first Test against Sri Lanka.

The wicketkeeper batter came out to bat when Pakistan were reeling at 73/4, fresh from the blow of their captain Babar Azam’s dismissal.

He put on a brief partnership with Saud Shakeel and added 28 runs to the total before Prabath Jayasuriya cut his knock short by trapping him in his legs.

Sarfaraz Ahmed could score 17 off 15 deliveries with the help of three boundaries.

When this story was filed Pakistan were five down for 115 in response to Sri Lanka’s 312.

The touring side had a dismal start to their innings as they lost their in-form opener Imam-ul-Haq (1) with just three runs on the scoreboard.

After a brief 44-run partnership between Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood, Sri Lanka launched a spin attack with Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis bowling in pair.

Jayasuriya removed Shafique to end the budding partnership before Mendis hit back to remove Masood, who was scoring at a brisk rate.

The left-handed batter scored a quick 39 off 30 deliveries, hitting five boundaries and a six.

Earlier in the opening session, Pakistan bowled out Sri Lanka for 312 after a gutsy century by Dhananjaya de Silva.

Sri Lanka, resuming at an overnight score of 242/6 with Dhananjaya de Silva just six shy of his century, could only add 70 runs for their last four wickets.

The right-handed batter, who, alongside Angelo Mathews, recovered Sri Lanka from a dismal start, continued his rhythm and notched up his well-crafted 10th century.

In the opening session on Day 2, de Silva put on brief partnerships with Ramesh Mendis and Prabath Jayasuriya before Naseem Shah finally got rid of him.

The right-handed batter top-scored for Sri Lanka with 122 off 214 deliveries, smashing 12 boundaries and three sixes.

Following the dismissal of their mainstay, Sri Lanka got a vital push courtesy of an astounding 28-run cameo by their No. 11 Vishwa Fernando.

For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abrar Ahmed and Naseem picked up three wickets each while Salman Ali Agha made one scalp.

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GALLE: Fighting half-centuries from Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha recovered Pakistan to 221/5 against Sri Lanka before rain forced an early closure on Day 2 of the ongoing first Test.

The pair of Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha stretched their budding partnership into a big one in the final session of Day 2 and pulled their side out of trouble.

Pakistan at 221/5 with both Saud and Agha firm at the crease, are now 91 runs behind.

Saud and Agha batted with great determination and scored gutsy half-centuries.

Saud scored 69 from 88 deliveries with the help of six boundaries while Agha was 61 not out by the time rain forced an early end to an eventful day.

At the stroke of Tea, the touring side, in dire need of a healthy partnership, were 132/5 with Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha at the crease.

The touring side had a dismal start to their innings as they lost their in-form opener Imam-ul-Haq (1) with just three runs on the scoreboard.

After a brief 44-run partnership between Abdullah Shafique (19) and Shan Masood, Sri Lanka launched a spin attack with Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis bowling in pair.

Jayasuriya removed Shafique to end the budding partnership before Mendis soon hit back to remove Masood, who was scoring at a brisk rate.

The left-handed batter scored a quick 39 off 30 deliveries, hitting five boundaries and a six.

Pakistan then sustained a massive blow when Sri Lanka’s Prabath Jayasuriya removed skipper Babar Azam to better his superior record against the right-handed batter.

Babar Azam could score 13 off 16 deliveries with the help of two boundaries.

Coming out to bat at number six was Sarfaraz Ahmed when Pakistan were reeling at 73/4, fresh from the blow of their captain Babar Azam’s dismissal.

He put on a brief partnership with Saud Shakeel and added 28 runs to the total before Prabath Jayasuriya cut his knock short by trapping him in his legs.

The wicketkeeper batter could score 17 off 15 deliveries with the help of three boundaries.

With half of their batters back into the hut, Saud Shakeel paired up with Salman Ali Agha and added a vital 31 runs to the total before the closure of the second session.

Sri Lanka, resuming at an overnight score of 242/6 with Dhananjaya de Silva just six shy of his century, could only add 70 runs for their last four wickets.

The right-handed batter, who, alongside Angelo Mathews, recovered Sri Lanka from a dismal start, continued his rhythm and notched up his well-crafted 10th century.

In the opening session on Day 2, de Silva put on brief partnerships with Ramesh Mendis and Prabath Jayasuriya before Naseem Shah finally got rid of him.

The right-handed batter top-scored for Sri Lanka with 122 off 214 deliveries, smashing 12 boundaries and three sixes.

Following the dismissal of their mainstay, Sri Lanka got a vital push courtesy of an astounding 28-run cameo by their No. 11 Vishwa Fernando.

For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abrar Ahmed and Naseem picked up three wickets each while Salman Ali Agha made one scalp.

On the opening day of the ongoing Galle Test, half-centuries from Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva took Sri Lanka to 242/6 at the stumps despite a ruthless opening session spell by Shaheen Shah Afridi.

After opting to bat first, the home side endured the wrath of Shaheen Shah Afridi, who returned to Test cricket after a year-long hiatus.

The left-arm pacer ran through the Sri Lankan top-order with three wickets in his first spell.

Shaheen’s first scalp of the match – Nishan Madushanka (4) – also propelled him to breach the 100 Test wickets mark.

Naseem Shah also joined Shaheen and added to the misery of the home side by removing Dinesh Chandimal for a mere one.

With Chandimal’s dismissal, Sri Lanka slipped to 54/4 but Mathews soon joined hands with Dhananjaya de Silva to launch an astounding recovery.

The pair added 131 runs for the fifth wicket and pulled their side out of trouble before mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed got a much-needed breakthrough in the form of Mathews.

The right-handed batter scored a cautious 64 off 109 deliveries, hitting nine boundaries.

Following Mathews’s dismissal, de Silva then stitched a 57-run partnership with Sadeera Samarawickrama.

The pair was looking in control to bat through the rain-hit opening day but Samarawickrama fell to Agha Salman on what turned out to be the final delivery.

He played an important 36-run knock which ended courtesy of a sensational catch by Imam-ul-Haq.

Samarawickrama’s dismissal in the closing minutes brought Pakistan back into the game but Sri Lanka’s mainstay de Silva remained firm at the crease.

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GALLE: Angelo Mathews’s half-century and an unbeaten 94 from Dhananjaya de Silva took Sri Lanka to 242/6 at the stumps on Day 1 against Pakistan despite a ruthless opening session spell by Shaheen Shah Afridi.

After opting to bat first in the first Test of the two-match series, Sri Lanka were 242/6 with Dhananjaya de Silva just six runs away from the century.

The home side endured the wrath of Shaheen Shah Afridi, who returned to Test cricket after a year-long hiatus.

The left-arm pacer ran through the Sri Lankan top-order with three wickets in his first spell.

Shaheen’s first scalp of the match – Nishan Madushanka (4) – also propelled him to breach the 100 Test wickets mark.

Naseem Shah also joined Shaheen and added to the misery of the home side by removing Dinesh Chandimal for a mere one.

With Chandimal’s dismissal, Sri Lanka slipped to 54/4 but Mathews soon joined hands with Dhananjaya de Silva to launch an astounding recovery.

The pair added 131 runs for the fifth wicket and pulled their side out of trouble before mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed got a much-needed breakthrough in the form of Mathews.

The right-handed batter scored a cautious 64 off 109 deliveries, hitting nine boundaries.

Following Mathews’s dismissal, de Silva then stitched a 57-run partnership with Sadeera Samarawickrama.

The pair was looking in control to bat through the rain-hit opening day but Samarawickrama fell to Agha Salman on what turned out to be the final delivery.

He played an important 36-run knock which ended courtesy of a sensational catch by Imam-ul-Haq.

Samarawickrama’s dismissal in the closing minutes brought Pakistan back into the game but Sri Lanka’s mainstay de Silva remained firm at the crease.

He scored an unbeaten 94 from 157 balls, laced up with 10 boundaries and three sixes.

Shaheen Shah Afridi spearheaded Pakistan’s bowling charge with three wickets while Naseem, Abrar and Salman made one scalp each.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam is upbeat as his team will launch their busy, challenging and action-packed 2023-24 international cricket season with the first Test of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 against Sri Lanka in Galle on Sunday.

The second and last Test of the series will be played in Colombo from 24 July.

Apart from the ICC World Test Championship matches, Pakistan is also scheduled to participate in the ACC Asia Cup, ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the next 12 months.

With all-format back-to-back international cricket lined-up, a good and strong start in Galle is what Babar Azam and his side will be aiming for.

Galle is a venue where Pakistan and Sri Lanka have achieved mixed results. In the seven Tests to date, Sri Lanka have won four times (2009, 2012, 2014 and 2022), while Pakistan have won thrice – by an innings and 163 runs (2000), 10 wickets (2015) and four wickets (2022).

When Pakistan last won in Galle 12 months ago, the tourists chased down the 342-run target for the loss of six wickets with Abdullah Shafique scoring a memorable 160 not out and Babar Azam following up his 119 in the first innings with 55.

Amongst the bowlers, Shaheen Shah Afridi took four wickets in the first innings before he was injured during the second innings and was ruled out of further participation.

However, best bowling figures of five for 88 from Mohammad Nawaz and Yasir Shah’s three for 122 combined in the second innings to share wickets.

From the current squad, 13 players were part of the side that toured Sri Lanka 12 months ago. The three newcomers are all-rounder Aamir Jamal, mystery-spinner Abrar Ahmed and middle-order batter Mohammad Huraira.

“Really excited to be back in red-ball format and all eyes are on the Galle Test as we are prepared and ready for the challenge,” Pakistan captain Babar Azam said, adding: “We are taking one step at a time, but we have to be consistent across all formats.

“One of the positives going into the Galle Test is 13 of our players were here 12 months ago. Abrar Ahmed has identified himself as a good option in our combination. I am sure this tour will be a good learning curve for him as we have high hopes from him in this and future series.

“I am particularly pleased with the return of Shaheen Shah Afridi. Besides his wicket-taking abilities, his presence always motivates and lifts the side. I know Shaheen has badly missed red-ball cricket and is now hungry for Test cricket.”

Shaheen is sitting on 99 Test wickets and will aim to become the fourth fastest Pakistan fast bowler to complete a century of wickets. He could have achieved this feat last year had he not been sidelined due to a knee injury.

Shan Masood, Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel scored half-centuries, while Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abrar Ahmed and Aamir Jamal took wickets against the SLC Board XI in Hambantota.

“Like any host country, Sri Lanka will like to play to their strength, which is spin bowling. We have had good feedback about the Sri Lanka side from their former coach Mickey Arthur and I think we are well prepared to take them on. We will stick to basics and be patient as this is Test cricket, which is a test of skills, temperament and stamina.

“Test results in the past 12 months may not have been in our favour, but we have definitely developed and grown as a side.”

Babar Azam is the holder of the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year for 2022. He has to date scored 3,696 runs in 47 Tests with nine centuries and 26 half-centuries.

He is the only cricketer to feature inside the top three across all formats – third in Tests, first in ODIs and second in T20Is.

READ: Commentary panel unveiled for Pakistan-Sri Lanka Tests

LAHORE: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Saturday, unveiled the five-member commentary panel for the home Test series against Pakistan, which also featured former PCB Chairman, Ramiz Raja.

Besides Ramiz, the commentary panel includes Russel Arnold, Aamer Sohail, Roshan Abeysinghe, and Tino Mawoyo.

The two-match Test series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan will mark Ramiz Raja’s return to commentary after an almost two-year hiatus.

Soon after assuming the charge of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Ramiz took a break from the commentary and remained involved in running the affairs of the cricketing body till his ouster in December 2022.

Despite his ouster, Ramiz Raja did not immediately return to the commentary role and missed the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the home series against New Zealand.

It is pertinent to mention that the two-match Test series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan will commence on Sunday and will conclude on July 28.

The series will also mark Pakistan and Sri Lanka’s first assignment in the newly-started World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle.

The first Test of the series will take place from July 16 to 20 at Galle International Cricket Stadium while the second Test will be held from July 24 to 28 in Colombo.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan, Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi and Shan Masood.

Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Matthews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Praveen Jayawickrama, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka, Vishwa Fernando, Lakshitha Manasinghe.

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HAMBANTOTA: The two-day tour match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President XI ended as a draw despite a dominant all-round show from the touring side.

At the closure of play on Day 2, SLC President XI were 88/4 and were still trailing by 58 runs.

Salman Ali Agha led Pakistan’s bowling attack in the second innings with two wickets, followed by one each from Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah.

Earlier on the second and final day of the tour match, Pakistan gathered a 146-run lead over the inexperienced SLC President XI courtesy of brilliant half-centuries by skipper Babar Azam, Shan Masood and Saud Shakeel.

The touring side, resuming at an overnight score of 160/3, continued to pile on SLC President XI misery as Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel partnered strongly.

The pair batted sensibly and added 126 runs to the total and powered Pakistan to 286/3 at Lunch as both scored half-centuries.

Babar scored an unbeaten 79, laced with seven boundaries and a six while Saud scored 61 not out with the help of six boundaries.

The duo then retired out to pave the way for the rest of their batters to prepare well for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.

Pakistan’s middle order responded well to the opportunity and added another 54 runs to the team’s total before skipper Babar Azam called for declaration.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s star with the bat on the opening day, Shan Masood, remained the top-scorer for the touring side with a brisk 83 off 67 deliveries, hitting nine boundaries and three sixes.

Put into bat first, the SLC President XI struggled against the ruthless Pakistan bowling attack and could only pile a modest 196 runs on the scoreboard.

Opening batter Oshada Fernando waged a lone battle for Sri Lanka with a gutsy century and played a marathon fighting knock.

The right-handed batter smashed 14 boundaries on his way to a 128-ball 109 before young pacer Aamer Jamal got rid of him.

Besides Fernando, no other SLC President XI batter could make a notable contribution. Kamindu Mendis (22) was the second top-scorer for the side while six of their batters failed to make it into the double figures.

Pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali led the bowling attack for Pakistan with three wickets each while Aamer Jamal and Abrar Ahmed bagged two each.

The two-day tour match will serve as an opportunity for Pakistan to get used to the Sri Lankan conditions and is currently underway at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.

Following the conclusion of the tour match, Pakistan will take on Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series, their first assignment in the newly-started World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle.

The first Test of the series will take place from July 16 to 20 at Galle International Cricket Stadium while the second Test will be held from July 24 to 28 in Colombo.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan, Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi and Shan Masood.

SLC President XI Squad: Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Oshada Fernando, Sandun Weerakkody, Kamindu Mendis – Captain, Ahan Wickremasinghe, Nipun Dhananjaya, Nuwanidu Fernando, Lakshitha Marnasinghe, Praveen Jayawickrama, Shashika Dulshan, Kavishka Anjula, Milan Ratnayake, Asanka Manoj, Mohammed Shiraz.

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HAMBANTOTA: Pakistan captain Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel scored half-centuries and powered the touring side to claim a 146-run lead over Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President XI on the second and final day of the tour match.

Resuming at an overnight score of 160/3, Pakistan captain Babar Azam and middle-order batter Saud Shakeel capitalized on the solid foundation laid by an all-round effort on the opening day as they batted with dominance to further solidify the touring side’s grip on the two-day tour match.

Both Babar and Saud scored half-centuries before Lunch on Day 2 when Pakistan had claimed 89 runs lead.

Babar scored an unbeaten 79, laced with seven boundaries and a six while Saud scored 61 not out with the help of six boundaries.

The duo then retired out to pave the way for the rest of their batters to prepare well for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.

Pakistan’s middle order responded well to the opportunity and added another 54 runs to the team’s total before skipper Babar Azam called for declaration.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s star with the bat on the opening day, Shan Masood, remained the top-scorer for the touring side with a brisk 83 off 67 deliveries, hitting nine boundaries and three sixes.

Put into bat first, the SLC President XI struggled against the ruthless Pakistan bowling attack and could only pile a modest 196 runs on the scoreboard.

Opening batter Oshada Fernando waged a lone battle for Sri Lanka with a gutsy century and played a marathon fighting knock.

The right-handed batter smashed 14 boundaries on his way to a 128-ball 109 before young pacer Aamer Jamal got rid of him.

Besides Fernando, no other SLC President XI batter could make a notable contribution. Kamindu Mendis (22) was the second top-scorer for the side while six of their batters failed to make it into the double figures.

Pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali led the bowling attack for Pakistan with three wickets each while Aamer Jamal and Abrar Ahmed bagged two each.

The two-day tour match will serve as an opportunity for Pakistan to get used to the Sri Lankan conditions and is currently underway at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.

Following the conclusion of the tour match, Pakistan will take on Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series, their first assignment in the newly-started World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle.

The first Test of the series will take place from July 16 to 20 at Galle International Cricket Stadium while the second Test will be held from July 24 to 28 in Colombo.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan, Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi and Shan Masood.

SLC President XI Squad: Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Oshada Fernando, Sandun Weerakkody, Kamindu Mendis – Captain, Ahan Wickremasinghe, Nipun Dhananjaya, Nuwanidu Fernando, Lakshitha Marnasinghe, Praveen Jayawickrama, Shashika Dulshan, Kavishka Anjula, Milan Ratnayake, Asanka Manoj, Mohammed Shiraz.

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HAMBANTOTA: Pakistan batters capitalized on the strong foundation laid by their bowlers to put the touring side in complete command on the opening day of the tour match against Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President XI.

At the stumps on Day 1, Pakistan were three down for 160 with a meagre and were 36 runs behind.

Pakistan openers Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique displayed dominance and scripted a decent start for the touring side with a 43-run partnership for the first wicket.

The pair looked in complete control until Kavishka Anjula got rid of Shafique in the 14th over, who could score 25 off 44 deliveries, hitting three boundaries.

Shan Masood then joined Imam in the middle and put Pakistan in control with a brisk 92-run partnership for the second wicket which lasted when the latter fell in the 29th over.

The left-handed opener scored a cautious 36 from 75 balls with the help of five boundaries.

Shan Masood was the star with the bat for Pakistan, courtesy of his quickfire 83-run knock in just 67 deliveries, laced up with nine boundaries and three sixes. His sensational knock ended just two overs prior to the closure of play.

At the stumps, Pakistan captain Babar Azam was unbeaten with a 33-ball 14 with Salman Ali Agha on nought.

Put into bat first, the SLC President XI struggled against the ruthless Pakistan bowling attack and could only pile a modest 196 runs on the scoreboard.

Opening batter Oshada Fernando waged a lone battle for Sri Lanka with a gutsy century and played a marathon fighting knock.

The right-handed batter smashed 14 boundaries on his way to a 128-ball 109 before young pacer Aamer Jamal got rid of him.

Besides Fernando, no other SLC President XI batter could make a notable contribution. Kamindu Mendis (22) was the second top-scorer for the side while six of their batters failed to make it into the double figures.

Pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali led the bowling attack for Pakistan with three wickets each while Aamer Jamal and Abrar Ahmed bagged two each.

The two-day tour match will serve as an opportunity for Pakistan to get used to the Sri Lankan conditions and is currently underway at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.

Following the conclusion of the tour match, Pakistan will take on Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series, their first assignment in the newly-started World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle.

The first Test of the series will take place from July 16 to 20 at Galle International Cricket Stadium while the second Test will be held from July 24 to 28 in Colombo.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan, Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi and Shan Masood.

SLC President XI Squad: Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Oshada Fernando, Sandun Weerakkody, Kamindu Mendis – Captain, Ahan Wickremasinghe, Nipun Dhananjaya, Nuwanidu Fernando, Lakshitha Marnasinghe, Praveen Jayawickrama, Shashika Dulshan, Kavishka Anjula, Milan Ratnayake, Asanka Manoj, Mohammed Shiraz.

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HAMBANTOTA: Pakistan bowlers put on a dominant show and bundled Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President XI for a meagre 196-run total despite Oshada Fernando’s century.

Put into bat first, the SLC President XI struggled against the ruthless Pakistan bowling attack and could only pile a modest 196 runs on the scoreboard.

Opening batter Oshada Fernando waged a lone battle for Sri Lanka with a gutsy century and played a marathon fighting knock.

The right-handed batter smashed 14 boundaries on his way to a 128-ball 109 before young pacer Aamer Jamal got rid of him.

Besides Fernando, no other SLC President XI batter could make a notable contribution. Kamindu Mendis (22) was the second top-scorer for the side while six of their batters failed to make it into the double figures.

Pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali led the bowling attack for Pakistan with three wickets each while Aamer Jamal and Abrar Ahmed bagged two each.

The two-day tour match will serve as an opportunity for Pakistan to get used to the Sri Lankan conditions and is currently underway at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.

Following the conclusion of the tour match, Pakistan will take on Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series, their first assignment in the newly-started World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle.

The first Test of the series will take place from July 16 to 20 at Galle International Cricket Stadium while the second Test will be held from July 24 to 28 in Colombo.

The national contingent, which flew off from Karachi on Saturday night, reached Colombo on Sunday via Dubai.

Former South Africa pacer and current Pakistan men’s team’s bowling coach Morne Morkel had also joined the squad in Dubai.

Notably, the former speedster was unable to join the team’s training camp in Karachi due to visa issues.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan, Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi and Shan Masood.

SLC President XI Squad: Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Oshada Fernando, Sandun Weerakkody, Kamindu Mendis – Captain, Ahan Wickremasinghe, Nipun Dhananjaya, Nuwanidu Fernando, Lakshitha Marnasinghe, Praveen Jayawickrama, Shashika Dulshan, Kavishka Anjula, Milan Ratnayake, Asanka Manoj, Mohammed Shiraz.

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HAMBANTOTA: Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and elected to field first in the two-day tour match against Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President XI.

Both sides are permitted to use all members of their squad in the ongoing tour match.

The two-day tour match will serve as an opportunity for Pakistan to get used to the Sri Lankan conditions and is currently underway at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.

Following the conclusion of the tour match, Pakistan will take on Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series, their first assignment in the newly-started World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle.

The first Test of the series will take place from July 16 to 20 at Galle International Cricket Stadium while the second Test will be held from July 24 to 28 in Colombo.

The national contingent, which flew off from Karachi on Saturday night, reached Colombo on Sunday via Dubai.

Former South Africa pacer and current Pakistan men’s team’s bowling coach Morne Morkel had also joined the squad in Dubai.

Notably, the former speedster was unable to join the team’s training camp in Karachi due to visa issues.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan, Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi and Shan Masood.

SLC President XI Squad: Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Oshada Fernando, Sandun Weerakkody, Kamindu Mendis – Captain, Ahan Wickremasinghe, Nipun Dhananjaya, Nuwanidu Fernando, Lakshitha Marnasinghe, Praveen Jayawickrama, Shashika Dulshan, Kavishka Anjula, Milan Ratnayake, Asanka Manoj, Mohammed Shiraz.

Itinerary of Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka:

11 and 12 July – Warm-up game
16-20 July – First Test at Galle International Cricket Stadium
24-28 July – Second Test at Singhalese Sports Club, Colombo

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