SL vs PAK: Check our Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Playing Team Picks for 1st Test

Sri Lanka will host Pakistan in the 2 matches Test series which gets started on July 16th. Galle International Stadium will host the 1st Test and the 2nd Test is staged at Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo. With this bilateral series, both sides will begin their new WTC (2023-2025) cycle.

Match Details:

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 1st Test

Venue: Galle International Stadium, Galle

Date & Time: July 16-20, at 9:30 AM IST and Local Time

Live Streaming: Sony Sports Network and Fancode

What is the pitch report for SL vs PAK, 1st Test?

Galle International Stadium has hosted 43 Test matches to date out of which only 6 resulted in a draw. It’s a spin-friendly surface having said the batters can score runs if they occupy the crease for a longer period.

???? Sri Lanka Cricket Selectors have selected the following squad to take part in the first
test against Pakistan! ????????????????????#SLvPAK pic.twitter.com/c1baXxn2EV

— Sri Lanka Cricket ???????? (@OfficialSLC) July 13, 2023

Recent form:

Sri Lanka: Won Won Lost Lost Won

Pakistan: Draw Draw Lost Lost Lost

SL vs PAK, 1st Test Probable Winners:

Sri Lanka are expected to win this match.

What is the expected, Probable Playing XIs for SL vs PAK, 1st Test?

Sri Lanka

Nishan Madushka, Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Dinesh Chandimal, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Dilshan Madushanka, Vishwa Fernando

Pakistan

Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Mohammad Rizwan, Agha Salman, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Nauman Ali / Hasan Ali

Dushan Hemantha and Pramod Madushan shine as they restrict Bangladesh ‘A’ to 301, paving the way for Sri Lanka ‘A’ to secure a 48-run victory! ????????#SLvBAN #ACCMensEmergingTeamsAsiaCup pic.twitter.com/QjmBD8XhHo

— Sri Lanka Cricket ???????? (@OfficialSLC) July 13, 2023

Injury Updates:

The players from both squads are doing well and fit. It will be added when there is an update.

What are the Top Picks, players for Dream11, My11circle and MPL for SL vs PAK, 1st Test?

Top Pick – Batter

Saud Shakeel will be playing a Test for the first time outside Pakistan. He made his Test debut against England last year and so far in his 5 Test matches, he has scored 580 runs at an average of 72.5. An interesting fact about him is that he never got out for a single digit in his 10 innings.

Top Pick – All-Rounder

Dhananjaya de Silva will be playing his 50th Test match. He had a good journey in the longest format in his 7 years career where he scored 3030 runs at an average of 38.35 and picked up 34 wickets.

Top Pick – Bowler

Abrar Ahmed is the new sensation in Test cricket who has got excellent variations. In his only 4 Test matches, he has picked up 28 wickets with the best figures of 7 for 114 in an innings.

Top Pick – Wicketkeeper

Sarfaraz Ahmed will definitely keep his place after a sensational series against New Zealand where he finished as the leading run-scorer with 335 runs in 4 innings.

X-Factor:

Prabath Jayasuriya made his Test debut against Australia last year and played 7 Test matches so far, picking up 50 wickets with the best figures of 7 for 52.

Game faces ???? and gears locked!

The boys are in full throttle, prepping for the #SLvPAK series! ???????? pic.twitter.com/FcXaCu0VBS

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) July 14, 2023

What are the fantasy suggested teams for SL vs PAK, 1st Test?

1. Sarfaraz Ahmed, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dimuth Karunaratne, Babar Azam (vc), Imam-ul-Haq, Dhananjaya de Silva, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya (c), Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi

2. Kusal Mendis (c), Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dimuth Karunaratne, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Ramesh Mendis, Agha Salman, Prabath Jayasuriya, Abrar Ahmed

Abrar Ahmed magic in the offing ✨#SLvPAK pic.twitter.com/xmeXcnNudc

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) July 14, 2023

Pre-Match Analysis:

Sri Lanka made interesting changes to their squad that won the previous Test series 2-0 against Ireland in April. Dilshan Madushanka has been drafted into the squad as a replacement for Asitha Fernando who has been ruled out of this series due to dengue fever. Pathum Nissanka and Kasun Rajitha also make their way back to the side. Spinner Praveen Jayawickrama too returns to the Test fold after playing his last game in May 2022. Dimuth Karunaratne has been announced as a skipper for the opening Test though he didn’t feature in the Finals of the Cricket World Cup Qualifier due to hamstring concerns. Nishan Madushka keeps his place following a magnificent 205 against Ireland. Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, and Dhananjaya de Silva will form the batting department. Ramesh Mendis and Prabath Jayasuriya are their lead spinners.

Pakistan hasn’t seen a bilateral series win in their last 4 outings. They lost the home series against England 3-0 which raised question marks and drew (0-0) against New Zealand. This is their second visit to the island nation after an exact one year where they leveled the 2 matches Test series 1-1 last year. Shaheen Afridi is fully fit and returns to the Test side. Muhammad Huraira and Aamer Jamal are the uncapped players in the squad that led by Babar Azam. There is a huge competition for a spot in the middle order with Sarfaraz Ahmed making a strong statement against New Zealand, scoring 3 half-centuries and a century. Shaheen Afridi will pair up with Naseem Shah in the fast bowling department. Agha Salman and Abrar Ahmed are their spin options.