Tag: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Tests

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.

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.

READ: Ashwin dismantles West Indies as India secure innings win

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.

READ: Novak Djokovic into 12th Wimbledon semi-final as Swiatek stunned out

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.

READ: Babar Azam moves closer to Test Batting Ranking summit

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka Cricket on Monday, named a 14-member squad to represent SLC President’s XI in the two-day tour match against Pakistan, scheduled to take place on July 11 and 12 at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.

The SLC President’s XI, led by Kamindu Mendis, features prominent names including wicketkeeper batter Niroshan Dickwella and top-order batter Oshada Fernando, who has served Sri Lanka at the international level.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s red-ball squad, led by Babar Azam, has reached Hambantota to play a two-day tour match against Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President’s XI.

The two-day tour match will serve as an opportunity for Pakistan to get used to the Sri Lankan conditions before the commencement of the two-match Test series.

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.

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

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.

READ: Sri Lanka’s squad for Pakistan Tests finalized: reports

LAHORE: Pakistan’s young pacer Aamir Jamal on Monday, shared his plans of filling in the all-rounder spot in the national team in the upcoming Sri Lanka Tests.

Aamir Jamal, who was named in the Pakistan squad for the two-match away series against Sri Lanka, was upbeat to perform well in the series if given a chance to make his debut.

“If given a chance, I will try to perform well, said Jamal while speaking to the media at the sidelines of the specialised camp for the pacers.

“I am working really hard to prepare myself according to Sri Lankan conditions. I want to perform for my team and make this tour memorable,” he added.

Aamir Jamal also shared his plans to improve his all-round abilities and to fill in the national team which lacks a regular all-rounder in the longest format.

“There are very few all-rounders in the circuit. I want to fill in the team as a proper all-rounder. I am working for that,” Jamal said.

Notably, besides Aamir Jamal, young batter Mohammad Huraira also received his maiden call-up to the Test squad at the back of a brilliant domestic season.

Shaheen Shah Afridi’s return to Test cricket after a one-year hiatus remained the highlight of Pakistan’s squad for the Sri Lanka series, which will mark the beginning of Pakistan’s World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 campaign.

It is worth mentioning here Aamir Jamal represented Pakistan in two T20Is during the home series against England last year and could pick up a wicket.

He has also played 23 first-class matches and claimed 63 wickets at an average of 31.65. Jamal has thus far accumulated 558 runs including two half-centuries in his first-class cricketing career.

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

READ: Ahmed Shehzad ‘ready enough’ to make Pakistan return even tomorrow