Sri Lanka Cricket President’s XI vs Pakistan, 2-day Practice Match: Probable XIs, Prediction, Pitch Report and Weather Forecast
Sri Lanka is all set to host Pakistan for a two-match Test series, starting from July 16. The first Test will be played at the Galle International Stadium before the action shifts to the capital city of Sri Lanka. The Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo will host the second and final Test that will be begin on July 24.
Pakistan’s last series was the white-ball home series against New Zealand. The five-match T20I series was drawn 2-2 whereas Pakistan won the five-match ODI series by a 4-1 margin.
Pakistan will be playing a two-day practice game against Sri Lanka President’s XI on Tuesday and Wednesday. Babar Azam will continue to lead the side and will be hoping that his side performs as expected. They will be looking to get their preparations right before the big series against Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lanka Cricket selectors have chosen 14 players to represent Sri Lanka Cricket President’s XI to face Pakistan in the two-day practice match. Kamindu Mendis will be leading the side while Niroshan Dickwella will keep the wickets.
The likes of Oshada Fernando, Nuwanidu Fernando and Praveen Jayawickrama have decent amount of experience under their belt and will look to challenge Pakistan on their home turf. This two-day practice match will be played at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota.
Sri Lanka Cricket President’s XI vs Pakistan Match Details:
Match: Sri Lanka Cricket President’s XI vs Pakistan, 2-day Practice Match, Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka 2023
Date and Time: July 11 – July 12, 10:00 am IST
Venue: Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota.
Sri Lanka Cricket President’s XI vs Pakistan Pitch Report
The pitch at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota is expected to assist spin bowling. The ball tends to grip off the surface and the overall nature of this track is slow. The batters will have to be on their toes while batting here.
Sri Lanka Cricket President’s XI vs Pakistan Weather Forecast
Good weather is expected on both days in Hambantota, with temperatures predicted to be in the mid-20s. There is no rain forecast for both days.
Sri Lanka Cricket President’s XI vs Pakistan Squads
Sri Lanka Cricket President’s XI
Squad
Kamindu Mendis (c), Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Oshada Fernando, Sandun Weerakkody, Ahan Wickremasinghe, Nipun Dhananjaya, Nuwanidu Fernando, Lakshitha Marnasinghe, Praveen Jayawickrama, Shashika Dulshan, Kavishka Anjula, Milan Ratnayake, Asanka Manoj, Mohammed Shiraz
Pakistan
Squad
Babar Azam (c), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Nawaz, Agha Salman, Nauman Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi
Note: All players in the squad can participate since it is a practice match.
Sri Lanka Cricket President’s XI vs Pakistan Match Prediction
Pakistan will be hoping to get their preparations right for the Test series against the Lankan side by performing well in the warm-up game. Since it is a two-day match, don’t expect any result other than a draw in this short period.
Prediction: Match to end in a draw.