Pakistan vs Sri Lanka: In the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka next month, Pakistan will return to Galle, where they achieved the highest-ever chase for the venue last year. The first Test is scheduled to start on 16 July at the Galle International Cricket Stadium. Afterward, both teams will move to Colombo for the second Test at the Singhalese Sports Club, taking place from 24 to 28 July.
As Pakistan’s first assignment in the 2023-25 cycle of the ICC World Test Championship, the team led by Babar Azam will reach Sri Lanka on 9 July. They will engage in a two-day warm-up game on 11 and 12 July before proceeding to the first Test. The venue for the warm-up fixture will be confirmed closer to the event.
During their previous tour to Sri Lanka in July 2022, Pakistan played a two-match Test series resulting in a 1-1 draw. In the first Test, Pakistan successfully chased down a target of 342, marking the highest run chase at the ground and winning by four wickets. However, the hosts made a strong comeback in the second Test, leveling the series with a resounding 246-run victory.
The last time Pakistan played a Test at the Singhalese Sports Club in Colombo was in 2014. Out of the six Tests played at the ground, Pakistan won one, lost one, and the remaining four matches ended in a draw.
Itinerary of Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka:
- 9 July – Pakistan land in Colombo
- 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
A 16-member Pakistan Test Squad for their upcoming two-match Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Test series has been announced.
Pakistan Test 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.
Player support personnel: Rehan-ul-Haq (team manager), Grant Bradburn (head coach), Andrew Puttick (batting coach), Morne Morkel (bowling coach), Aftab Khan (fielding coach), Abdul Rehman (assistant coach), Drikus Saaiman (strength and conditioning coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi (media and digital content manager), Lt Col Usman Anwari (Retd) (security manager), Talha Ejaz (analyst) and Malang Ali (masseur).
Check out Explore It Beyond for latest updates on Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka.
