SL vs PAK Match Preview
Sri Lanka is expected to go with an almost similar squad that whitewashed Ireland in the 2-match series earlier this year, barring a couple of changes. Leggie Lasith Embuldeniya is likely to miss out and will be replaced by Praveen Jayawickrama, who will be joined by Ramesh Mendis and Prabth Jayasuriya in the spin attack, while Asitha Fernando, who is recovering from a fever, might be unavailable for the series opener and will be replaced by Dilshan Madushanka.
The other bowlers in the pace attack include Kasun Rajitha and Vishwa Fernando. The batting will be one of the biggest strengths for Sri Lanka. Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne was in excellent form during the ODIs and will be joined by Nishan Madushka as the opening partner.
The middle order will consist of Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya De Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Matthews, and Dinesh Chandimal. Overall, Sri Lanka has a well-balanced squad at its disposal.
Babar Azam will lead the Pakistan team in this match and will be banking on the support of fellow senior players including Sarfaraz Khan, Mohammad Rizwan, Imam ul-Haq, and Abdullah Shafique. The latter two opened the batting in the practice match and got a decent start, but failed to convert it into a big inning.
Aamer Jamal and Muhammad Huraira, who have shown good form in the domestic circuit off late have earned their maiden Test call-ups and might find a place here. The visitors will have a potent pace attack at their disposal as Shaheen Shah Afridi makes a comeback in the red-ball squad after a gap of almost a year.
He will be joined by Hasan Ali and Naseem Shah, both of whom are excellent seamers. The spin attack will be led by Abrar Ahmed, who is the only specialist spinner on the squad. However, Pakistan has plenty of all-rounders who can chip in, including Mohammad Nawaz and Nauman Ali.
Weather Report
The skies are expected to remain overcast and there is a forecast for rain throughout the next week.
Pitch Report
The pitch at Galle is considered to be good to bat on. The surface is flat and offers a good amount of bounce. However, the quicker bowlers will need to be disciplined with their line and length or they will be taken for runs.
The average first-inning score on this ground is 366. The spinners will find some turn as the match progresses. Anything over 200 will be difficult to chase here in the 4th inning.
Notable stats
Kusal Mendis: Dependable Off Late
Kusal Mendis made his Test debut in 2015 and has been a consistent performer for Sri Lanka in the middle order. He has scored 3938 runs at an average of 37.50, including 19 half-centuries and 7 centuries.
Team News
There are no updates regarding injuries from either side.
SL vs PAK Probable 11
SL Playing 11
- Dimuth Karunaratne (C)
- Sadeera Samarawickrama
- Kusal Mendis (Wk)
- Nishan Madushka
- Angelo Mathews
- Dinesh Chandimal
- Dhananjaya de Silva
- Ramesh Mendis
- Prabath Jayasuriya
- Kasun Rajitha
- Dilshan Madushanka
PAK Playing 11
- Mohammad Rizwan
- Sarfaraz Ahmed (Wk)
- Babar Azam (C)
- Imam Ul-Haq
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Agha Salman
- Abdullah Shafique
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Naseem Shah
- Abrar Ahmed
- Hasan Ali
Dream11 Prediction
We are backing Pakistan to win here. The team has a strong batting line-up and most of its players are in good form. The return of Shaheen Shah Afridi adds a lot of strength to its bowling and we expect the team to play well.
Top Picks
Imam Ul-Haq: Imam Ul-Haq is one of the best batsmen among the current crop of Pakistani players. He averages 39.36 in Test matches and we expect him to play a big inning.
Shaheen Shah Afridi: Arguably one of the best bowlers in the Pakistan squad, Shaheen Afridi has picked up 99 Test wickets in just 25 matches and we think he will bowl well.
Dimuth Karunaratne: One of the most experienced batsmen in the Sri Lankan side, Karunaratne has scored 6524 runs in Test matches at an average of 41.29. His knocks include 16 centuries and 34 half-centuries.
SL vs PAK Dream11 Team 1
Keeper: K Mendis, M Rizwan
Batters: D Karunaratne, B Azam (C), I Haq
All-rounders: D de Silva, M Nawaz
Bowlers: S Afridi (VC), P Jaysuriya, A Ahmed, N Shah
