After playing a limited-overs series in Pakistan, Sri Lanka are likely to play two Test matches in the country in December 2019. As per a report in ESPNcricinfo, progress has been made regarding staging a Test series in Pakistan. Should the series take place, it will be after 10 years that Pakistan will host a Test match.
However, there are high chances that star players will again give series a miss. It is to be noted that as many as 10 players had backed out from the white-ball series that had taken place in September-October.
The list also included their ODI skipper Dimuth Karunaratne and T20I skipper Lasith Malinga. Karunaratne is also their Test captain, which means Sri Lanka will be without their captain if the series takes place.
Earlier, the two teams were to play the Test series in Pakistan but later, the boards agreed to play white-ball series first. The home side won the ODI series 2-0. A second-string T20I side, led by Dasun Shanaka, stunned Pakistan and white-washed the hosts 3-0 in the shortest format.
The two teams are due to play two-match series as a part of ICC Test championship. The series was to be played in October. Both the boards are yet to comment on the Test series yet.
Since the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team in 2009, Pakistan first hosted an international match in 2015 when Zimbabwe travelled to the country. Later, a World XI team led by Faf du Plessis travelled the country while Sri Lanka also played a T20I there in 2017. Sri Lanka again played a white-ball series in Pakistan.
It has also hosted few Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) matches since the inception of the tournament and the board also expects to stage the full tournament in Pakistan.
Bangladesh and South Africa are also scheduled to play Test series again Pakistan at their home as a part of ICC Test championship and PCB might want to host the two teams in Pakistan.