Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

PAK vs SL 1st Test Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | PAK vs SL 1st Test Prediction Today | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 1st Test Dream11 Prediction

After 10 long years, Test cricket finally returns to Pakistan.

And the timing could not be better for the home side. Life under Misbah-ul-Haq has not had a happy beginning, with Pakistan suffering from poor form across formats. Whether it is T20Is or Tests, Pakistan have flopped, losing each of their last eight internationals. Now is the time to fix that.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, are more up-and-down. Perhaps the most up-and-down Test side in the world. Their year began with two thrashings in Australia, followed closely by becoming the first Asian team to win a Test series in South Africa. Then, an awful second Test against New Zealand, where they lost a rain-affected match.

Former Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur at the helm is a fine narrative for this series. Will it be he who comes to cause further hurt for Pakistan, weather permitting?

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Key to a Pakistan win

The bowlers were ineffective down-under, so-much-so that Ian Chappell couldn’t remember any worse touring attacks on Australian shores.

That has to hit hard from a Pakistan perspective. So, eyes will be on the pace bowlers as they respond to their difficult time in Australia, along with Yasir Shah who shone with bat rather than ball. Can Mohammad Abbas, a bowler with a reputation for being underrated, remind us all of his ability? Importantly, who will support him well?

Also, the batsmen struggled down-under, which was particularly disappointing given the good batting surfaces. Babar Azam and Yasir Shah, of all people, stood out, with a bit of Asad Shafiq, Shan Masood and Mohammad Rizwan in the mix. Now, Pakistan need a strong display from top-down, including Fawad Alam, who makes his long-awaited return.

Key to a Sri Lanka win

Pakistan will be out for redemption. Sri Lanka’s batsmen will be out to put a stop to it. Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, who has been excellent at times in the past 18 months, will be key in giving his side a good start.

Indeed, a good start is crucial for a Sri Lankan side that possesses quite unpredictable talent in its middle order. Kusal Mendis continues to be inconsistent, while Kusal Perera has moments of brilliance (who could forget this?). Angelo Mathews has threatened to hit his best form in 2019, but it has to come together now.

Also, the loss of Suranga Lakmal to dengue fever is a blow. Underrated, Lakmal’s effort provides the team with plenty of value that his replacement has to replicate. Can the seamers expose Pakistan’s lack of confidence, of which the spinners can then build on?

Possible Playing 11

Skipper Azhar Ali is another player that has to step up for Pakistan. However, whether he bats at opener or three remains to be seen here. That depends on whether Pakistan play Fawad Alam, who usually bats at five domestically, at three.

Pakistan: 1. Shan Masood, 2. Abid Ali/Imam-ul-Haq, 3. Azhar Ali (c), 4. Babar Azam, 5. Fawad Alam, 6. Asad Shafiq, 7. Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 8. Kashif Bhatti, 9. Yasir Shah, 10. Shaheen Shah Afridi, 11. Mohammad Abbas

The form of Lahiru Thirimanne at the top for Sri Lanka has been a worry. But, it is likely he will be given a chance.

Sri Lanka: 1. Dimuth Karunaratne (c), 2. Lahiru Thirimanne, 3. Kusal Mendis, 4. Angelo Mathews, 5. Kusal Perera, 6. Dhananjaya de Silva, 7. Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 8. Dilruwan Perera, 9. Lasith Embuldeniya, 10. Vishwa Fernando, 11. Lahiru Kamara

Pitch and Conditions

There is some rain forecast on days two, three and four. In regards to the pitch, the Rawalpindi track typically suits the batsmen, before providing some assistance to the spinners later in the match.

Stats and Facts

• Sri Lanka beat Pakistan 2-0 in the UAE in 2017; they became the first team to win a series over Pakistan in their adopted home since their move there in 2009.
• Pakistan are yet to get off the mark in the World Test Championship. Sri Lanka have 60 points.
• Fawad Alam in FC Cricket since his last Test: 114 matches, 8,340 runs, 28 centuries, average: 57.52.
• Babar Azam is coming off 210 runs at 52.50 vs Australia.
• Pakistan have won three, lost three and drawn two in Tests at Rawalpindi.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

Rain on days two, three and four puts a result in jeopardy. Because the pitch is expected to be good for batting; particularly on the first couple of days, this match could end in a draw.

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