Top 3 player battles to watch out for in first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka

Pakistan and Sri Lanka are set to renew their Test rivalry when they meet in the opening match of their two-Test series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from November 9. The contest will be part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle, making a positive start important for both teams.

Pakistan will have the advantage of playing at home under Babar Azam’s leadership, while Sri Lanka will be led by Kusal Mendis. The hosts have added Aamer Jamal, Saqib Khan, Ali Shabbir and Muhammad Tayyab Arif to their squad, while Sri Lanka will be without injured opener Pathum Nissanka, with Lahiru Udara coming in as his replacement.

With experienced batters and promising bowlers on both sides, several individual contests could influence the outcome. Here are the top three player battles to watch out for in the first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

1. Babar Azam vs Asitha Fernando

One of the most anticipated contests will be between Pakistan captain Babar Azam and Sri Lankan fast bowler Asitha Fernando. Babar is expected to play a crucial role in the hosts’ batting lineup, and his performance against the new ball could determine how comfortably Pakistan build their first innings.

Asitha has the ability to trouble established batters through disciplined lines, movement off the pitch and changes in length. He will look to target the channel outside off stump and force Babar into playing deliveries away from his body. If there is assistance for seamers at Rawalpindi, the Sri Lankan pacer could make the early exchanges particularly challenging.

Babar, meanwhile, will need to remain patient and avoid getting drawn into unnecessary shots. His ability to leave deliveries outside off stump, rotate the strike and punish loose balls will be important. He has scored 648 runs against Sri Lanka in Test cricket at an average of 108, according to the ICC’s match statistics.

If Asitha can dismiss Babar early, Sri Lanka will have an opportunity to put pressure on Pakistan’s relatively inexperienced batting options. However, if the Pakistan skipper gets set, he could become a major obstacle for the visitors.

2. Dinesh Chandimal vs Mohammad Abbas

The battle between Dinesh Chandimal and Mohammad Abbas could be crucial in the middle phases of Sri Lanka’s innings. Chandimal is one of the most experienced batters in the visiting squad and will be expected to provide stability, particularly if the openers fail to give the team a strong start.

Abbas is known for his accuracy, patience and ability to extract movement without relying entirely on pace. His biggest strength is maintaining pressure through consistent deliveries around the off-stump channel. Against a batter like Chandimal, that approach could create opportunities through edges and mistakes in judgement.

Chandimal has a strong record against Pakistan in Test cricket, having accumulated 988 runs at an average of 76, with a highest score of 155 not out. Those numbers underline why Pakistan will be keen to dismiss him before he gets comfortable at the crease.

The Sri Lankan batter will look to use his experience to negotiate Abbas’s probing spells. He could target deliveries that stray onto his pads while remaining cautious against balls outside off stump. Abbas, on the other hand, will aim to keep the scoring rate under control and force Chandimal into playing a risky stroke.

This contest could have a major impact on Sri Lanka’s ability to post a competitive first-innings total.

3. Kamindu Mendis vs Aamer Jamal

The third battle features Sri Lankan batting all-rounder Kamindu Mendis and Pakistan’s returning pace-bowling all-rounder Aamer Jamal. Both players can influence a Test match in multiple ways, making their contest an interesting one to follow.

Kamindu has established himself as an important part of Sri Lanka’s middle order. His ability to play both attacking and defensive cricket makes him difficult to contain once he settles. He will be expected to contribute significantly with the bat, especially in partnerships with Chandimal, Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva.

Jamal’s return adds another dimension to Pakistan’s bowling attack. He has played nine Tests and recently impressed in the President’s Trophy Grade-I final, taking seven wickets for 32 runs and scoring 55 with the bat. His ability to bowl aggressive spells and contribute useful runs makes him a valuable option for Babar.

Against Kamindu, Jamal will need to maintain discipline and use variations in pace and length to prevent the batter from settling. Kamindu, meanwhile, will look to counter the pressure by rotating the strike and capitalising on scoring opportunities.

If Jamal can break through Sri Lanka’s middle order, Pakistan could gain a significant advantage. However, Kamindu’s ability to construct long innings could make this a demanding assignment for the returning all-rounder.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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