Pakistan cricket team is gearing up for their upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, where they will participate in a two-match Test series. The tour marks Pakistan’s first assignment in the 2023-25 cycle of the ICC World Test Championship. The series will kick off with the first Test scheduled to take place at the Galle International Cricket Stadium on 16 July, followed by the second Test at the Singhalese Sports Club in Colombo from 24 to 28 July.

Pakistan, led by captain Babar Azam, will arrive in Sri Lanka on 9 July, giving them ample time to acclimatize to the conditions before the series commences. Prior to the first Test, the team will engage in a two-day warm-up game on 11 and 12 July. The venue for the warm-up fixture will be confirmed closer to the date.

During their last tour of Sri Lanka in July 2022, Pakistan and Sri Lanka competed in a closely contested two-match Test series, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Pakistan showcased their resilience in the first Test at Galle, achieving the highest-ever chase at the venue, successfully chasing down a target of 342 to secure a memorable four-wicket victory. However, Sri Lanka bounced back in the second Test, winning by a convincing margin of 246 runs to level the series.

The second Test will be held at the historic Singhalese Sports Club in Colombo, where Pakistan last played a Test match in 2014. Out of the six Tests they have played at the venue, Pakistan has secured one victory, suffered one defeat, and the remaining four matches ended in a draw.

The Pakistan squad for the tour includes captain Babar Azam, vice-captain and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, along with talented players such as 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.

The cricket enthusiasts eagerly await this thrilling Test series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, as both teams aim to showcase their skills and compete for victory in the challenging Test format.

Itinerary of Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka:

• 9 July: Pakistan arrives in Colombo
• 11 and 12 July: Warm-up game (venue to be confirmed)
• 16-20 July: First Test at Galle International Cricket Stadium
• 24-28 July: Second Test at Singhalese Sports Club, Colombo