Pak vs Sri Lanka: first Test match begins

The first match of a two-match Test series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka has started today. Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bat first.

Leg-spinner Yasir Shah and all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz have been recalled to Pakistan’s lineup for the first Test match. The Pakistani side is playing with three fast bowlers, under the leadership of Babar Azam.

In a squad meeting before the start of play on Saturday, batting coach Mohammad Yousuf gave all-rounder Salman Ali Agha his maiden Test cap.

Sri Lanka made two changes to the team that beat Australia in a series. Dhananjaya de Silva and Oshada Fernando replaced Kamindu Mendis and Pathum Nissanka.

Teams

Sri Lanka: Oshada Fernando, Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Prabath Jayasuriya, Kasun Rajitha

Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam (capt), Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Yasir Shah, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah

Pakistan is playing in Sri Lanka despite a state of emergency in the country. Sri Lanka imposed a state of emergency on Wednesday after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa left the country due to massive protests.