Pakistan, Sri Lanka start their WTC25 campaign in Galle

Sri Lanka return to Galle, where they have played each of their last eight home Tests. The hosts have met Ireland, Pakistan, Australia, West Indies at the venue since November 2021, winning six of the eight Tests.

Of the two losses at the venue, one came against Pakistan last year. In the first Test of the series then, Pakistan incredibly chased down 342 in the final innings, the highest successful run-chase at the venue.

World Test Championship Standings 2023-25

It's very likely that Pakistan still remember that Test victory well, for it was their last win in Tests. Since then, the team has had a major setback, losing four of their last six encounters, with the other two being drawn.

The team is bolstered by the return of Shaheen Shah Afridi, whose last Test was this victory at Galle in 2022.

The pace attack gets an instant boost with Shaheen spearheading a group that also has Naseem Shah and Hasan Ali.

However, it is unlikely that all three would feature on a turning wicket. The spin department has mystery-spinner Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, and Noman Ali.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, are wealthy in that unit with newbie Lakshitha Manasinghe joined by the likes of Prabath Jayasuriya, Praveen Jayawickrama, Ramesh Mendis, and Kamindu Mendis.

Dimuth Karunaratne is recovering from a hamstring injury that saw him miss the final of the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier against Netherlands.

The opener is due a fitness test before the start of the Test, according to reports. Dhananjaya de Silva is the vice-captain.

Sri Lanka's only Asian opponent at home in this World Test Championship cycle is Pakistan. As such, a win against them would be a significant one for Sri Lanka as they get to face non-Asian teams (Australia and New Zealand) at home, where their chances of a win are higher than when playing these teams away from home.

Given that they have two tough overseas tours (South Africa and England) in this cycle, Sri Lanka will want as many points as they can gather at home.

Pakistan, on the other hand, have tough overseas assignments in this cycle with away tours against South Africa and Australia. A win in their only way tour within Asia (this series against Sri Lanka) would be a much-needed early relief for Babar Azam's men.

1st Test: July 16-20, Galle

2nd Test: July 24-28, Colombo

**"**Really excited to be back in red-ball format and all eyes are on the Galle Test as we are prepared and ready for the challenge," the Pakistan skipper said ahead of the series.

"We are taking one step at a time, but we have to be consistent across all formats. One of the positives going into the Galle Test is 13 of our players were here 12 months ago."

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Sri Lanka have a plethora of spin-bowling options in the squad and could field as many as three spinners with Dhananjaya de Silva offering another option.

Babar said that he expected the barrage of spin coming their way, but pointed out that the visitors have received feedback on what to expect from their former coach Mickey Arthur, who is now the Director of PCB.

"Like any host country, Sri Lanka will like to play to their strength, which is spin bowling. We have had good feedback about the Sri Lanka side from their former coach Mickey Arthur and I think we are well prepared to take them on. We will stick to basics and be patient as this is Test cricket, which is a test of skills, temperament and stamina."

Pakistan: Babar Azam (captain), 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, Shan Masood

Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), 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