Babar Azam
720 runs in the last 10 Tests. Career average 43.0.
The sides
| Measure | Pakistan | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 14387th of 11 | 14656th of 11 |
| Home advantage | +110Rating points | –Touring |
| XI caps | 168Tests between the XI | 378Tests between the XI |
| Top-seven average | 33.0Test batting in Pakistan | 40.1Test batting in Pakistan |
| Bowling average | 39.7Five main bowlers, Tests | 35.2Five main bowlers, Tests |
When Pakistan bat
+0.21 an overNew ballOvers 1–20+0.15Old ballOvers 21–80+0.19Second new ballOvers 81 on+0.39
When Sri Lanka bat
+0.11 an overNew ballOvers 1–20−0.33Old ballOvers 21–80+0.39Second new ballOvers 81 on−0.19
First innings
376Pakistan bat first
332Sri Lanka bat first
308Par
363Average here since 2019, 9 innings
657Highest here, England 2022
Pakistan favoured at home, with Mohammad Abbas the standout bowler
Pakistan are favoured in Rawalpindi, at 49 per cent to Sri Lanka's 35, with the draw at 17. The batting carries the call: Pakistan's XI rates 89 runs a match above an average Full Member side and Sri Lanka's 75, a split of 96 to 83 with the bat, and Pakistan's projected first innings of 376 is the higher of the two.
Mohammad Abbas, in our predicted XI, is the standout: 47 wickets in his past 10 matches, 131 in Tests at 22.68, and a bowling rating of 54.1 runs a match above an average bowler.
What total is safe?
Tests in Pakistan since 2019
First inningsDefended
Under 25060%3 of 5
250–34933%2 of 6
350–44975%3 of 4
450+50%1 of 2
The case for Pakistan
- Pakistan's XI rates 89 runs a match above an average Full Member side, against Sri Lanka's 75, and its batting 96 against 83.
- Mohammad Abbas has 47 wickets in his past 10 matches and 131 in Tests at 22.68, with a bowling rating of 54.1 runs a match above average.
- Pakistan's projected 376 batting first is the higher of the two and sits above the 363 Rawalpindi has averaged in first innings since 2019.
Batting standout
Bowling standout
Mohammad Abbas
47 wickets in the last 10 Tests. Career average 22.7.
The case for Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka's top seven average 45.6 against all bowling since 2023, well clear of Pakistan's 29.6.
- Prabath Jayasuriya has 46 wickets in his past 10 matches and 134 in Tests.
- Sonal Dinusha averages 86.57 after five Tests, with 606 runs in his past five matches.
Batting standout
Dinesh Chandimal
787 runs in the last 10 Tests. Career average 43.3.
Bowling standout
Prabath Jayasuriya
46 wickets in the last 10 Tests. Career average 32.0.