SL vs PAK | 2nd Test | Match Preview, Key Players, CREX XI

The 2nd Test match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan series will kick off on Sunday (July 24) at Galle International Stadium. As the caravan moves on, there's a lot is at stake, with 12 World Test Championship (WTC) points up for grabs.


Pakistan started the tour on a high as the hosts succumbed to a four-wicket loss in the series opener. 


For Sri Lanka, Dinesh Chandimal emerged as the top-scorer in both innings. The veteran batter gathered a collective total of 170 runs in the previous fixture. 



On the bowling front, Prabath Jayasuriya continued his rich vein of form. While playing only the second Test of his career, the left-arm spinner claimed nine scalps to push Sri Lanka closer to victory.


However, with a lack of support from the other end, Dimuth Karunaratne and Co. failed to close down on what would have been a memorable win.


On the other hand, Babar Azam's Pakistan had a task cut out for themselves. While the skipper was at his imperious best in the first innings, Abdullah Shafique's unbeaten 160-run knock helped the team chase down their second highest target in Test history of 342 runs.



Both sides suffer from injury concerns as Maheesh Theekshana and Shaheen Shah Afridi have been ruled out from tomorrow's fixture due to respective injuries.


Read more: Jos Buttler wants England to persist with aggressive approach after ODI win against South Africa

Key Players


  • Dinesh Chandimal: The Sri Lanka veteran is going through a terrific run with the bat and remains a key player.

  • Prabath Jayasuriya: Despite being a newbie in the Test arena, the wily left-arm spinner is emerging like a force. He will head to the upcoming clash on the back of a nine-for.

  • Babar Azam: Pakistan's skipper was a lone warrior in the first innings. While at one stage, Sri Lanka was set-up for a massive lead, he reduced the deficit with his 119-run knock.

  • Abdullah Shafique: He cannot be left out of this list. The man-of-the-match of the last game is vital to Pakistan's chances of winning the ongoing series.

Match Details 


  • Venue: Galle International Stadium 

  • Date & Time: July 24, 10:00 AM IST

  • Live Streaming: Sony Sports Network 

Pitch Report


As seen in the previous encounter, the pitch at Galle International Stadium supports bowlers during the early part of the match. However, as the game progresses, batting tends to get easier.

CREX XI Suggestion


Wicket-Keeper: Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Mohammad Rizwan

Batters: Babar Azam, Dimuth Karunaratne, Abdullah Shafique

All-Rounders: Ramesh Mendis, Mohammad Nawaz

Bowlers: Yasir Shah, Hasan Ali, Prabath Jayasuriya


Captain: Babar Azam

Vice-Captain: Prabath Jayasuriya

Also Read: Why Zimbabwe and Netherlands' T20 World Cup 2022 qualification is significant for Cricket!

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Why Zimbabwe and Netherlands' T20 World Cup 2022 qualification is significant for Cricket!

Following the conclusion of ICC T20 World Cup 2022 Global Qualifier B, perennial underachievers Zimbabwe and Netherlands became the latest entrants to join the race in Australia later this year. The two nations fought tooth and nail throughout July's qualifiers event, making their way to the finals with unbeaten group runs. On the day of reckoning, it was the Craig Ervine-led spirited Zimbabweans who came up trumps with a 37-run win at the historic Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo. The finale's outcome did not make much difference for the Dutch as both sides earned ICC's tickets to travel to Australia later this year. While the Netherlands will find themselves placed in Group A of the first round alongside UAE, Namibia and T20 giants Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe will be locked in Group B with Ireland, Scotland and two-time winners West Indies. From there on, the two teams will need at least a top-two finish in their respective groups to proceed to the Super 12s. Also Read: Shreyas Iyer equals Virat Kohli and Sourav Ganguly in a rare feat Although the tournament is already filled with India, England, Pakistan, hosts Australia and other heavyweights of the game, both Zimbabwe and Netherlands hold potential keys to liven up the month-long event further Down Under. Zimbabwe and Netherlands qualification significant for tourney The Chevrons have reserved their own share of some T20 World Cup specials. Much like other full-member countries, they made their debut in its first edition back in 2007. Placed in a deadly Group B alongside tournament-favourites Australia and T20 veterans England, not many, if any, would have betted on the African side to survive the first stage. As it turned out, the underdogs went on to upstage the Australians just as the ODI World Champions were about to begin their quest for T20 supremacy. Ultimately, Brendon Taylor's match-winning leg-glance off Nathan Bracken carved itself as one of the moments that lit up the opening edition. Also Read: A Dream XI could take down ‘The Invincibles’ They still failed to go past the opening round, as was the case in their subsequent four appearances in the tournament. Moreover, the 2016 competition marked their last T20 WC presence as they missed out on the 2021 slot. With Zimbabwe marking up a sequence of confident wins in the qualifiers this time around, one can expect the African nation to spring a surprise or two in this year's big event as well. After all, it was them who had to liven up the inaugural edition with a T20 win for the ages, overcoming all odds to outclass ODI and Test juggernauts in their first T20 World Cup attempt. On the other hand, the Netherlands also had a fairy-tale beginning to their maiden campaign. The Dutch pipped hosts England at the 2009 event and repeated the feat five years later in 2014, thus maintaining a 100 percent win record over their European neighbours. Netherlands' entertaining Super 10 phase from 2014 was followed by eventless Group exits in 2016 and 2021. Much like Zimbabwe, Scott Edwards' side will also be looking to leave a mark in Australia this time around. Since a win by Bangladesh and Afghanistan is rarely considered a surprise these days, fans would surely pin their hopes on the latest entrants to provide some spicy plot-twists Down Under. Read: Indian players likely to play in foreign leagues