Pakistan host Sri Lanka for two Tests that both count towards the 2025-27 World Test Championship. The first starts in Rawalpindi on Monday 9 November and the second in Lahore on Tuesday 17 November. Babar Azam captains Pakistan, and Kusal Mendis leads Sri Lanka as their new Test captain.
Both squads changed in the weeks before the first ball. Pakistan named 14 players, added four more on 7 November and released two, and Sri Lanka lost Pathum Nissanka to a hamstring injury. The final lists are below.
Schedule
Pakistan Test squad (16)
Babar Azam captains. The squad has six players who are new to Test cricket or close to it: Mohammad Taha, Mohammad Suleman and Sameer Minhas were named as uncapped batters on 24 October, and Tayyab Arif, Ali Shabbir and Saqib Khan received their first national call-ups on 7 November. Aamer Jamal returns. Ali Usman and Abdullah Fazal were released from the first squad.
- Batters: Babar Azam (c), Saud Shakeel, Azan Awais, Mohammad Suleman, Sameer Minhas, Tayyab Arif
- Wicketkeepers: Mohammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Baig
- Allrounders: Salman Ali Agha, Aamer Jamal, Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Taha
- Bowlers: Mohammad Abbas, Razaullah, Ali Shabbir, Saqib Khan
Sri Lanka Test squad (15)
Kusal Mendis takes over the captaincy from Dhananjaya de Silva, who stepped down. Pathum Nissanka has been ruled out with a hamstring injury and Lahiru Udara replaces him. Anjala Bandara and Eshan Malinga earned call-ups, and Dilshan Madushanka is recalled.
- Batters and keepers: Kusal Mendis (c, wk), Lahiru Udara, Anjala Bandara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Pasindu Sooriyabandara
- Allrounders: Dhananjaya de Silva, Sonal Dinusha, Keshara Nuwantha
- Bowlers: Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga, Milan Rathnayaka
Head to head and what is at stake
Across 59 Tests, Pakistan have won 23, Sri Lanka 17 and 19 have been drawn, so a draw is a real result in this fixture. The last Test between the sides was in July 2023, a Pakistan win.
World Test Championship points are on the line in both matches. Neither team is comfortable in the table, which tends to make captains more positive in the first innings, and that is worth remembering when you pick between batters and bowlers.
Rawalpindi and Lahore
- Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (1st Test): four of the last five Tests here were won by the team batting fourth, and the surface is usually described as flat. Pakistan's Mohammad Abbas has said Rawalpindi pitches often give pace bowlers some help, so check the surface and the toss before you commit to a heavy spin or pace line-up.
- Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (2nd Test): a different ground eight days later. Use the pitch report on the match page for that game rather than assuming Rawalpindi conditions.
Fantasy approach for this series
- Captain a batter who will bat twice and long. In a Test your points come from two innings over up to five days, so top-order batters with a high floor are safer than lower-order players.
- Spinners carry volume. Prabath Jayasuriya is Sri Lanka's left-arm spinner and a regular source of wickets and overs. Pakistan have Arafat Minhas and Mohammad Taha, both slow left-armers, and Salman Ali Agha, who bowls off spin, in a squad that is otherwise pace-heavy.
- Allrounders score in both departments. Salman Ali Agha, Aamer Jamal and Dhananjaya de Silva can earn points with bat and ball over five days.
- Debutants are a gamble. Pakistan may play two or three players who have never played a Test, so check the confirmed XI at the toss before you lock a differential.
- Wicketkeepers: Kusal Mendis keeps for Sri Lanka as captain. Pakistan have two keepers, Ghori and Baig, and only one will play.
The XI is confirmed at the toss, about half an hour before play, so around 9:30 AM IST on day one. If your team locks before then, pick the player you are sure about and use the second Test to adjust.
Play free on CricketDream
Every CricketDream game is free, with no entry fee and no prize pool. Pick 11 players within the credit budget, choose a captain (2x points) and vice-captain (1.5x points), and your score updates live through the match.
Open the 1st Test match page, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi.
Open match pageFrequently asked questions
When does the Pakistan v Sri Lanka Test series start?
The first Test starts on Monday 9 November in Rawalpindi and the second on Tuesday 17 November in Lahore. Both begin at 10:00 AM IST on day one.
Who captains each side?
Babar Azam captains Pakistan and Kusal Mendis captains Sri Lanka.
Is Pathum Nissanka playing?
No. Sri Lanka Cricket said Nissanka will miss the two-Test series with a hamstring injury, and Lahiru Udara has replaced him in the squad.
Which Pakistan players could make their Test debut?
Mohammad Taha, Mohammad Suleman and Sameer Minhas were named as uncapped batters, and Tayyab Arif, Ali Shabbir and Saqib Khan are new to the national side. Which of them play is only confirmed at the toss.
Do these Tests count for the World Test Championship?
Yes. Both matches are part of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle.
Is CricketDream fantasy free to play?
Yes. Fantasy XI, Draft, Multi-Draft, Predictor, Cricket Quiz and CricketQuest are all completely free, with no entry fees and no cash prizes. You can play the Tests for fun and bragging rights with friends.
Where can I follow the live score?
CricketDream is not a broadcaster. Check your local rights holder for the live stream, and use each CricketDream match page for the live score, confirmed playing XIs and your fantasy points as they update.