Pakistan host Sri Lanka in the opening Test at Rawalpindi as both sides look to improve their World Test Championship campaigns, with new faces and leadership changes adding intrigue to the series.
ISLAMABAD, November 9, 2026: Pakistan and Sri Lanka resume their Test rivalry on Monday as the two teams face each other in the opening match of their two-Test series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
The first Test begins at 9:30am, with the teams scheduled to move to Lahore for the second and final match.
The series marks the first Test meeting between the sides since 2023 and their first Test encounter in Pakistan since 2019. Sri Lanka will also look to end their disappointing record on Pakistani soil, having not won a Test in the country since 2004.
Pakistan look to revive Test campaign
Pakistan enter the series under pressure after a difficult World Test Championship campaign. They currently occupy the bottom position, with only two victories from nine matches, including a 3-0 series defeat in England.
Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel will be important figures in the batting line-up, while Salman Ali Agha returns to strengthen the middle order.
Pakistan have also introduced fresh talent, with Sameer Minhas, Mohammad Taha and Mohammad Suleman receiving maiden Test call-ups. Taha has attracted particular attention after scoring 730 runs in seven President’s Trophy matches at an average of 66.36, including three centuries.
In the bowling department, Mohammad Abbas, Aamer Jamal, Ali Shabbir and Saqib Khan provide additional options. Aamer recently impressed in domestic cricket, taking seven wickets for 32 runs in the President’s Trophy final.
Sri Lanka welcome new captain
Sri Lanka will be led by Kusal Mendis, who has taken over the Test captaincy from Dhananjaya de Silva.
The visitors will rely on experienced batters Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis and De Silva. However, Pathum Nissanka has been ruled out because of a hamstring injury, with Lahiru Udara replacing him.
Sonal Dinusha also enters the series in impressive form after scoring three centuries and an 84 in four innings against India.
Sri Lanka’s bowling attack features Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara and Dilshan Madushanka, offering a combination of spin and pace.
Pitch conditions and World Test Championship standings
Sri Lanka currently sit seventh in the World Test Championship standings, with one win, two defeats and three draws from six matches.
Pakistan have struggled to find consistency, while Sri Lanka will aim to build on their recent fightback against India, where they secured a draw in the second Test.
Rawalpindi has recently witnessed spin-friendly surfaces, but Pakistan’s selection of just one specialist spinner suggests the hosts could favour conditions offering greater assistance to fast bowlers.
Both teams have plenty to prove as the opening Test gets underway, with the result potentially providing important momentum for the remainder of the series.