Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat first in the first match of the Test series against Pakistan played at the Galle International Stadium on Sunday (July 16).

It is the first of a two-test series, with the second set to begin on July 24 in Colombo.

The two-match series marks the start of their ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 participation.

The hosts’ captain Dimuth Karunaratne said his main aim was to win all the home matches in the ICC World Test Championship and a few away from home, to ensure they have a chance of qualifying for the finals.

“It’s good to start the World Test Championship with a home series,” Karunaratne said. “We know the teams we are up against. We could have easily been in the finals if we had won the two Tests against Australia and Pakistan last year. We’ve learnt from our mistakes and we are well prepared for the first Test.”

Sri Lanka are putting out almost the same side that beat Ireland 2-0 in a two-match series in April, the only change being Kasun Rajitha replacing Asitha Fernando.

Meanwhile, Pakistani captain Babar Azam said, “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,” adding that he was delighted to have Shaheen Shah Afridi back in the side.

Exactly after a gap of 12 months, Pakistan return to the Galle International Stadium to take on Sri Lanka in the first Test of the two-match series. Babar Azam’s men produced a spectacular victory last year at the same venue.

Pakistan (Playing XI) - Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Babar Azam (C), Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed (WK), Agha Salman, Nauman Ali, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah
 
Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Dimuth Karunaratne (C), Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Sadeera Samarawickrama (WK), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha