Sri Lanka on Sunday won the toss and decided to bat first against Pakistan in second matches of two Test series at Galle International Stadium, with the visitors leading the series 1-0.
The Babar Azam-led side are high on confidence entering this contest after rewriting the history books earlier in the week when they chased down 342 to post the highest successful run chase at Galle.
“The morale is quite high in the camp as posting a good win gives you a lot of confidence,” Babar told PCB Digital on the eve of the second Test.
Pakistan are taking the field without their premier fast bowler Shaheen Afridi after he was ruled out of the second Test because of a knee injury sustained on the fourth day of the first Test.
With the Galle surface providing assistance to spin bowlers, Pakistan have included Nauman Ali in the XI and have decided to go with two fast bowlers.
Confirming the combination, Babar said, “We will, definitely, miss Shaheen because of the way he bowls. He bowls with aggression and gets us wickets upfront that helps the team. It is unfortunate that he is not in the side, but considering the conditions, we have included a spinner, Nauman Ali.”
For Sri Lanka, Asitha Fernando and debutant Dunith Wellalage replace Kasun Rajitha and Maheesh Theekshana.
19-year-old Wellalage is making his Test debut while Angelo Mathews is making his 100th Test appearance for Sri Lanka.
Angelo Mathews becomes the sixth cricketer to play 100 Tests for Sri Lanka.
-Agencies
