Pakistan is all set to take on Sri Lanka in the first of the two-Test match series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on December 11. The upcoming clash will be the first Test on Pakistan soil after a span of 10 years and the home side will not want to disappoint the crowd. Babar Azam and Azhar Ali will have the onus to plunder big runs for the side while Yasir Shah and Mohammad Abbas will handle the bowling department. However, they are expected to get a tough competition from the Lankan side which comprise of players like Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal. Pakistan Vs Sri Lanka, Cricket Score 1st Test Match.

Azhar Ali and Co are coming off a 2-0 loss against Australia in a Test series and will look to redeem themselves. On the other hand, Sri Lanka’s last series was against New Zealand which resulted in a 1-1 draw. The Lankans also registered a 2-0 victory when these two sides last locked horns in a Test series in 2017. The presence of veterans like Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis makes the visitors a force to reckon with and the host will certainly vary off the fact. So, predicting the favourites of the match will certainly not be easy. However, some mini-battles between are likely to witness in the match and below we’ll look at some of those. Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test 2019: Babar Azam, Dinesh Chandimal & Other Key Players to Watch Out For in Historic Test.

Fawad Alam vs Lahiru Kumara

The Pakistani opener will make a return to the national Test side after more than a decade and will be roaring to comeback. In the meantime, Fawad has piled up a mountain of runs in the First-Class competitions and has a massive experience of playing in these conditions. Lahiru Kumara will have the onus to dismiss the veteran and will the pacer can set the speed-gun on fire and will challenge Alam will the brand-new red cherry.

Angelo Mathews vs Yasir Shah

Mathews is one of the most senior players in the side and will need to put his hand up in order to give the visitors an upper hand. The right-handed batsman is known to be a good player of spin and will look to neutralize the effect of Pakistan’s prime spinner Yasir Shah. However, the leggie has an excellent record in sub-continental conditions and eye to run through the Sri Lankan batting line-up.

Dimuth Karunaratne vs Mohammad Abbas

The Sri Lankan captain has been the side’s batting mainstay for quite a long time and will look to extend his rich vein of form against Pakistan. Nevertheless, he will face the new ball from Mohammad Abbas, who is very well capable of exploiting the new red-cherry. So, it will be interesting to see whether Karunratne will pile up another big score or Abbas will go through his defences.

120 points in the ICC World Test Championship will be in stakes in the upcoming Test series and both the teams will leave no stones unturned to clinch them. Also, the series will be crucial for individual players like Dinesh Chandimal and Fawad Alam who are making a comeback and will look to seal their spot this time around.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 10, 2019 06:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).