The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced the 16-member Test squad for their upcoming tour of Pakistan. Unlike the previous limited-overs tour of Pakistan in last September-October, this time the SLC has announced a stronger side with the experienced cricketers like Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal etc.
After many conversations, Sri Lanka agreed to play the limited-overs bilateral series in Pakistan that happened in last September-October. However, many top senior Sri Lankan cricketers had denied playing in that tour. Finally, the inexperienced Sri Lankan cricket team travelled Pakistan for the limited-overs series.
While Pakistan won the three-match ODI series by the 2-0, inexperienced Sri Lanka stunned Pakistan in the three-match T20I series by completing a whitewash.
The SLC felt happy with the security arrangement in Pakistan during those limited-overs series. After further discussions, the SLC has finally agreed to play the two-match Test series against Pakistan in Pakistan.
This upcoming Test series is a part of the inaugural ICC World Test Championship (2019-21). So, the SLC can agree to play the Test series in Pakistan only if the senior players make them available for this tour. As the senior players are available for this Test series, the SLC has no problem to give a green signal in this tour.
Dinesh Chandimal returns to the side
Since Sri Lanka tour of Australia for the Test series in last February, Dinesh Chandimal hasn’t played an international match for Sri Lanka. Finally, he has been selected in the Test squad and it is going to be a big opportunity for him.
Dimuth Karunaratne will continue to lead Sri Lanka in this upcoming away Test series.
It will be the second Test series for both the teams in 2019-21 ICC World Test Championship. Meanwhile, it will be Sri Lanka’s first away Test series and Pakistan first home Test series under the 2019-21 ICC World Test Championship.
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (Rawalpindi) will host the first Test of this series, starting on 11th December. The second and final Test of this series will begin on 19th December while the National Stadium (Karachi) will host this game.
Since the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan national cricket team bus ahead of the day three of the Lahore Test in March 2009, Pakistan hasn’t organised a Test match yet. So, the Rawalpindi Test is going to be the first Test on the Pakistan soil since March 2009.
On the other hand, since December 2006, it is going to be the first time when Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will host an international match. However, the stadium hosted the last Test in April 2004 against India.
Sri Lanka’s full Test squad for the upcoming Pakistan tour
Test squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Janith Perera, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dhananjaya De Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Dilruwan Perera, Lasith Embuldeniya, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Lakshan Sandakan
Full Test series schedule of Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan 2019/20
(Two-match Test series)
11th-15th December 2019: 1st Test – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (Rawalpindi)
19th-23th December 2019: 2nd Test – National Stadium (Karachi)