Sri Lanka (SL) will clash against rivals Pakistan (PAK) in the first Test match at Galle International Stadium starting on July 16. This will be the first assignment for both teams in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-2025 cycle and both Asian giants will look for a positive start.
The hosts have named in-form Dimuth Karunartne to lead the team in the first match despite the player's decision to resign from captaincy duties at the end of the last WTC cycle. Sri Lanka have won four of their seven Test matches played against Pakistan at Galle and will enter this game as favorites due to home advantage.
Pitch Report - SL vs PAK
The surface at Galle International Stadium offers a balanced surface in red-ball cricket. Spinners have always dominated this venue with a good amount of turn on the ball from the start but batters will find it easy to score in the first innings.
Will Toss Matter?
Very unlikely. Both teams have the quality to produce a thrilling match on the balanced surface here. The average first innings scored here is 366 but it drops to 158 in the fourth innings.
Galle International Stadium - The Numbers Game
Basic Test Stats
- Total matches: 43
- Matches won batting first: 23
- Matches won bowling first: 14
Average Test Stats
- Average 1st Innings scores: 366
- Average 2nd Innings scores: 310
- Average 3rd Innings scores: 233
- Average 4th Innings scores 158
Score Stats for Test matches
- Highest total recorded - 704/3 (151 Ov) by SL vs IRE
- Highest score chased - 73/10 (28.5 Ov) by SA vs SL
SL vs PAK Probable XI
Sri Lanka Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne(c), Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama(w), Kamindu Mendis, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Praveen Jayawickrama, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka, Vishwa Fernando, Lakshitha Manasinghe
Pakistan Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne(c), Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama(w), Kamindu Mendis, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Praveen Jayawickrama, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka, Vishwa Fernando, Lakshitha Manasinghe
