Pak vs SL, 1st Test Prediction
The Pakistani team is playing its first of the two tests in Galle International Cricket Stadium Galle, Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka won the toss and choose to bat first. It took the decision as of pitch condition, which helps spin more in the later phases of the match. The match will continue from 16-20 July 2022 at 0930 AM. It is a part of the ICC World Men’s Test Championship 2021-2023. Sri Lanka is currently at no 3rd and Pakistan at 4th position on the points table. A win of 2-0 can put either of the team with a chance of making it up to the final.
The series was to be followed by the ODI series, which was cancelled later on. The reason to this was the heavy commitment of the Lankan team and the series was not made part of the ICC World Super League.
Analysis
Green shirts visited Sri Lanka in 2015 and won the test series by 2-1. In 2019, again Pakistan won by 1-0 in Pakistan. Prior to this main series, the teams played a warmup match in Colombo on 11 – 13 July. The match ended in a draw with Pakistan 323 and 178/2 and Sri Lanka 375/8d.
- Sri Lanka – Sri Lankan team is in momentum after beating Austalia by an innings in the 2nd Test in recent series. Chandimal scored a double century in that. The batting line of Lankans looked good with Chandimal, Karunartne, and Angelo Matthews present in the team. Matthews has recently recovered from COVID-19.
Prabhat Jayasuriya got 12 wickets in his debut Test match against Australia. He has taken in playing 11 for the destruction of Pakistani batting. Rajitha can also do the needful for his team.
Sri Lanka made two changes in the team which beat the Australian side. Dhananjaya de Silva and Oshada Fernando are replaced with Kamindu Mendis and Pathum Nissaka in the match. Nissanknais still recovering from COVID.
Sri Lankans were in a bad form in their first match against Australia. The team made a wonderful comeback in the 2nd test with a huge victory. they are hopeful to repeat the same against Pakistan.
Playing 11
Oshawa Fernando, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Mahesh Theekshana, Prabath Jayasuriya, Kasun Rajitha
- Pakistan – Pakistan performed well in the World Test Championship cycle. Winning this series may get them a push upwards. The team is looking good with both bowling and batting. The trio of Babar Azam, Imam ul Haq (in batting) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (in bowling) has led Pakistan to win many matches in the Test Championship.
Other than these, Azhar Ali and Muhammad Rizwan make the batting line of green shirts strong. Bowling is strengthened by Hassan Ali and Yasir Shah. Yasir Shah has been added on the basis of his brilliant last performance. The major burden of spin bowling will be handled by him.
Form Pakistan, Agha Salman will make his debut in the middle order.
Pakistan was in good form before the Australian visit. They are eagerly looking for their 1st win in the last 4 tests.
Playing 11
Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam , Mohammad Rizwan, Agha Salman, Mohammad Nawaz, Yasir Shah, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah
In the last 55 matches played, Pakistan has won 20 and SL won 16. In the last 5, the ratio is the same by 2-2 with a draw.
Pitch prediction
It will play an important role in the match. It is a difficult pitch for batting and might get worn as the match progress. It can support spin bowling in later phases of the match. So batting first might be helpful. We have seen this in the recent SL vs AUS series.
Weather Condition
The weather may remain dry with a little chance of rain on day 2. The temperature may remain above 30 during match days.
Match Prediction
BETJEE has analyzed the condition in detail. The experts of BETJEE are of the view that it might be a close match. Team Pakistan visited when the Lankans has just thrashed Kangaroos. Having this in mind, Pakistan is coming with a strong team. They should be comfortable with the conditions in Galle.
It needs patience as well as skill to bat for a longer duration in Sri Lanka. Both the teams are equipped with those players who can smash big runs.
Keeping all the factors and details in mind, BETJEE has come to a conclusion that Pakistan can beat Sri Lanka in the first test with a close margin.
Match Details
Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 1st Test
Date: 16 July to 20
Time: 10:00 IST
Galle International Stadium. Galle, Sri Lanka
