Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Test Series Preview

The Island nation of Sri Lanka gets back to Test cricket with the series against neighbours Pakistan. The three-Test series begins in Galle on 17th June and is important for both teams, for different reasons.

The hosts come into the series without their stalwart Mahela Jayawardene, who retired from all formats after the World Cup. And, when the series ends, another icon in Kumar Sangakkara will be just one match away from retirement.
In this sense, it is a huge chance for youngsters to stake claim and cement their spots. Dinesh Chandimal, Kithruwan Vithanage and Lahiru Thirimanne are yet to be regular in the playing eleven. With Sri Lanka in transition, it is a great chance for these players along with Jehan Mubarak.

The veteran left hander got back into the side after eight years based on his strong domestic performance. Bowling too bears a different look with youngsters Tharindu Kaushal and Dushmantha Chameera trying to get a foot in the side.

Pakistan come after a trip to Bangladesh but that is not any level of comfort for their fans. The team is going through one of its routine transitions as the churn of squad sees Ahmed Shehzad, Shan Masood and Ehsan Adil come back into the squad.

It will be the series which will see Younis Khan’s 100th Test match. Not often granted the respect he deserves, Younis remains the mainstay of this side. But, the biggest transition will be the absence of Saeed Ajmal.
Ajmal was dropped by the visitors after his recent run-in managing his action and getting it cleared. Zulfiqar Babar is drafted into the squad and has a point to prove with question marks on his age.

Overall, it is going to be an interesting Test series between two evenly matched sides. Odds of $2.38 offered by William Hill on the hosts Sri Lanka in the first Test look attractive and $4.00 at William Hill for a 1-0 series score to Sri Lanka also presents an enticing bet.

Which way will it sway? With two sides in transition and one of them notorious for being volatile, it could be an interesting series.