1st Test: Sri Lanka continue to bat against Pakistan

Galle: Sri Lanka have continued to bat against Pakistan in the first Test match of the two-match series, being played in Galle on Saturday.

Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne won the toss and elected to bat against Pakistan in the opening Test of the two-match series.

The hosts made two changes to the team that beat Australia in a series-leveling win earlier this week at the same venue in Galle, which saw some rain in the morning.

Dhananjaya de Silva and Oshada Fernando replaced Kamindu Mendis and Pathum Nissanka, who was one of the four players to get Covid ahead of and during the second Australia Test.

Pakistan, led by Babar Azam, recalled leg-spinner Yasir Shah and all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz to their team, which has three fast bowlers.

All-rounder Salman Ali Agha was handed his first Test cap by batting coach Mohammad Yousuf during a team huddle before the beginning of play on Saturday.

Pakistan won their last Test series here 2-1 in 2015, Sri Lanka promise to pose a tough challenge to the visitors following their series-leveling comeback win at the very same venue where the two teams meet against Australia earlier in the week.

This series is part of the ICC World Test Championship cycle. The second and last Test will be played at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium from 24-28 July. Sri Lanka are ranked third in the ICC World Test Championship, while Pakistan are fourth.