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The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board has officially announced a 14-member squad for the SLC President’s XI to face Pakistan in a two-day warm-up match starting on July 11 at the MRICS stadium in Hambantota.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan team arrived in Hambantota on Monday, following their arrival in Colombo on Sunday.
The warm-up match holds great significance for the Pakistan players as it provides them with an opportunity to fine-tune their skills and adapt to the local conditions before the commencement of the two-match Test series, scheduled to begin on July 16 in Galle.
The SLC President’s XI squad includes:
Niroshan Dickwella as the wicket-keeper, Oshada Fernando, Sandun Weerakkody, Kamindu Mendis (Captain), Ahan Wickremasinghe, Nipun Dhananjaya, Nuwanidu Fernando, Lakshitha Marnasinghe, Praveen Jayawickrama, Shashika Dulshan, Kavishka Anjula, Milan Ratnayake, Asanka Manoj, and Mohammed Shiraz.
On the other hand, the Pakistan squad comprises:
Babar Azam as the captain, Mohammad Rizwan as the vice-captain and wicket-keeper, Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi, and Shan Masood.
Here is the schedule for Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka:
- July 11-12: Two-day warm-up match in Hambantota.
- July 16-20: First Test at Galle International Cricket Stadium.
- July 24-28: Second Test at Singhalese Sports Club, Colombo.
It is worth noting that prior to the official announcement, the squad had been leaked and circulated on the internet for the Test series. However, the final confirmed squad for the warm-up match consists of the aforementioned players.
Leaked squad for Test series:
Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Nishan Madushka as the wicket-keeper, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lakshitha Manasinghe, Praveen Jayawickrama, Asitha Fernando or Dilshan Madushka, Vishwa Fernando, and Kasun Rajitha.
Also, see:
Babar Azam in conversation with new PCB chairman
