COLOMBO, Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat first on the first day of the second cricket Test match against Pakistan at Singhalese Sports Club (SSC) here on Monday.
The series marks the start of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 for the two teams.
Pakistan arrived in Sri Lanka without a Test win to their name during the one-year time but despite a wobbly final-innings chase, a four-wicket victory in Galle means they need only a draw in Colombo to win the two-match series.
Sri Lanka made two changes to their side, replacing fast bowlers Vishwa Fernando and Kasun Rajitha with Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka.
Madushanka, a left-arm seamer will be making his Test debut, having appeared in six ODIs and 11 T20Is for Sri Lanka.
Pakistan are fielding an unchanged side.
The start of play was delayed by half an hour due to rain, but no overs were reduced.
Teams:
Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Agha Salman, Shan Masood, Babar Azam (captain), Shaud Shakeel, Noman Ali, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abrar Ahmed.
Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Dilshan Madushanka, Asitha Fernando.
Umpires: Chris Gaffaney (NZL), Alex Wharf (ENG)
TV umpire: Rod Tucker (AUS)
Match referee: David Boon (AUS) —AFP
