Rawalpindi: Pakistan and Sri Lanka will face off in a two-match ICC World Test Championship series starting Monday, marking the continuation of Sri Lanka's all-format tour of Pakistan. The tour, which began on October 9, has seen Pakistan triumph in both the T20I series and a tri-nation ODI series. The upcoming Test series presents a fresh challenge for both teams, with Pakistan aiming to maintain their winning momentum under the leadership of Babar Azam.

According to Pakistan Cricket Board, the home team features a 16-member squad that includes eight uncapped players, signaling a strategic shift towards building a broader pool of talent for future competitions. The squad is bolstered by experienced players such as Babar Azam, who is nearing a personal milestone of 5,000 Test runs, and seasoned pacer Mohammad Abbas. Sri Lanka, led by newly appointed Test captain Kusal Mendis, are eager to conclude their tour with a series win, having already secured victory in a three-day practice match against the PCB Patron's XI.

The first Test will take place at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium with matches scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. local time. The second Test is set to be held at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Historically, Pakistan holds a slight advantage over Sri Lanka in Test match encounters, with 23 victories out of 59 meetings. The last series between the two sides in July 2023 saw Pakistan emerge victorious with a 2-0 win.

Captains from both sides have expressed their readiness and strategic focus for the series. Babar Azam emphasized the team's energy and the importance of building a strong player pool as part of the team's long-term goals. Meanwhile, Kusal Mendis aims to capitalize on the momentum from their practice match win, highlighting the need for patience and strategic play in the Test format.