Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) finalized the squad for the upcoming two-match series against Pakistan, set to begin on July 16 in Galle, Sri Lankan media reported.
According to the news outlet, Sri Lanka’s Test squad was finalized on Friday and has been sent to the country’s sports minister for approval.
As per the reported squad, Dimuth Karunaratne will lead Sri Lanka in the two-match home Test series against Pakistan, which will commence on July 16.
Ramesh Mendis and Prabath Jayasuriya will lead Sri Lanka’s spin attack in the squad which features three pacers Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, and Kasun Rajitha.
However, the reports suggested that Asitha is currently recovering from dengue fever and will only be available for the second Test and therefore, is likely to be replaced by left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka.
Sri Lanka’s batting group feature the players who took part in the Test series against Ireland, meaning Pathum Nissanka will remain out of the squad while Nishan Madushka was selected to open alongside skipper, Dimuth Karunaratne.
Sri Lanka’s Potential Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Nishan Madushka (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lakshitha Manasinghe, Praveen Jayawickrama, Asitha Fernando/Dilshan Madushka, Vishwa Fernando, and Kasun Rajitha.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s red-ball squad, led by Babar Azam, reached Hambantota on Monday to play a two-day tour match against Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President XI.
The two-day tour match, which will serve as an opportunity for Pakistan to get used to the Sri Lankan conditions, will take place on July 11 and 12 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.
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.