*SRILANKA VS PAKISTAN 1st TEST IN A TWO MATCH TEST SERIES 2023 PREVIEW*
*THE BUILD UP:*
*GALLE WILL REMEMBER:*
Backtrack your memory to 20th July 2022 when Pakistan against the odds decided to chase down 344 on a turner against Srilanka and that is when we truly understood the real potential that lies in Shafique, who ever since that period has been a crucial player to the test team. Babar Azam and Abdullah Shafique had once again turned a blind eye to all critics and produced a partnership, a match winning one, for the ages. The game was remembered for long and as we gear up to watch another test series between these two nations at the same venue, recalling this classic was the undeniable need.
Both teams are kickstarting their WTC cycle with this 2 match series and as a neutral fan, I could not be more pumped to the challenges that it will throw to both outfits who are extremely competitive. Pakistan, after completing a historic chase were sent packing as they were denied a series win and starting from tomorrow, the 1992 worldcup champions would be looking to fix that and avenge the series loss. The likes of Shafique and Babar will once again be in focus on the batting front alongside an ever so impressive Shan who struck a 67 ball 83 in the Warmup fixture. The England series also gave us a massive glimpse of how Shakeel’s career is going to pan out- he was an assured customer at the crease mercilessly tiring down the English bowlers and his ability to play spin like a king can be very fruitful starting from tomorrow as the pitch here in Galle offers a fair amount of turn and grip.
On the bowling front, Pakistan have a good mixture of pace and spin with Shaheen returning from an injury- likely to feature. To cover him are Naseem and Hasan, two reliable pacers with the latter one ageing like a fine wine. He has shown some form in the warmups and Pakistan would be much eager to find out how he fares on these slow and low wickets. The spin duo of Agha Salman and Abrar Ahmed can get the job done in an otherwise pace heavy attack.
Srilanka, on the other hand, were recently crowned the champions of the CWC Qualifiers- directly booking their ticket to India but this is a change of format and the challenge is different. They will be bolstered by the return of the comeback man Chandimal who had been a key assaulter the last time around when Pakistan came to these shores. He tired down the pace battery and with composure, tackled the spinners- making Babar and co feel the pressure on their shoulders. They were caught in such tangle that Chandimal never really allowed them to stand tall and the Lankan batting would be relying on him heavily again.
The spin trio of Ramesh Mendis-Jayasuriya-Jayawickrama are as dangerous as they can get on their day and on top of that, these blokes are well aware of these conditions and how the ball is expected to behave if they pitch it at the right spots. Besides the home advantage, tackling a Lankan spin troika is always an unavoidable challenge. If one has an off day, the two other strike and if two are unable to contribute, the third one holds the ability to run down the entire lineup. They possess skills which are unparalleled to any other and we could be in for a treat, watching them operate with precision.
*PAK PROBABLE XI:*
Abdullah Shafique, Imam Ul Haq, Shan Masood, Babar Azam(c), Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed(wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed
Former Champions trophy winning skipper Sarfaraz and a star of the NZ series at home is likely to get the nod ahead of his counterpart Rizwan. There has always been a tight competition between the two but the former is expected to feature in the starting xi largely because of his experience in these conditions, his form and also his superior ability to tackle spin.
Pakistan could go in with three spinners, all of whom offering something unique with Abrar producing mystery, Nawaz with his left arm spin and Agha Ali Salman representing the side as an offie. The three, together hardly have any experience but due to the starts which they have got in their careers respectively, they could demolish SL. One error and we could see the Lankan batting lineup fall like a pack of cards.
Your heart and your mind goes out to Babar when he bats for Pakistan. His classical stroke play and his presence of mind sets him a class apart from others and I’m eagerly looking forward to seeing how he goes about his business this time around. He was succesful as a technical strokemaker last year and we could be in for another stroke of magic from the current Pak skipper. However, the lack of international matchtime could be the reason for his undoing.
*SL PROBABLE XI:*
Dimuth Karunaratne, Nishan Madhushka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya DeSilva, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Jayawickrama, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando
The wealth of expedience that SL have in the batting is immense. This could be one factor that makes them different from Pakistan. The troika of Karunaratne, Mathews and Chandimal have served SL for quite some years now and sure know how to make the opposition feel the pressure specially when they are operating at their own home ground. The skipper of the side finished with an outstanding average in the Qualifiers and has been a pillar to the Lankan batting in the last few years. Regardless of the opposition, the southpaw has made it a habit to strike gold at any venue. His hundred vs India in India was testimony to his success in Tests. Expect a banger of a series and a game from him.
Nishan Madhushka could get the nod ahead of Nissanka, owning to the outrageous start he has gotten himself to, in his test career- averaging over 70 and battling it out in the middle with confidence. This could be a gamble in the long run but a gamble worth taking, if you see in the context of the game.
*MY PREDICTIONS:*
*FOR PAK:*
Highest run getter- Saud Shakeel/Babar Azam
Highest wicket taker- Abrar Ahmed/Naseem Shah
*FOR SL:*
Highest run getter- Dinesh Chandimal/Dimuth Karunaratne
Highest wicket taker- Prabath Jayasuriya/Ramesh Mendis
*FOR THÉ GAME:*
Pakistan to start off with a win