PCB Patron's XI to face Sri Lanka tomorrow

Seven Test players feature in the hosts’ side as Sri Lanka fine-tune for Test series

The PCB Patron's XI will take on the Sri Lanka Test squad in a three-day practice match starting on Wednesday (today) at the Islamabad Club Ground as the touring side steps up preparations for the upcoming two-match Test series.

Both squads held training sessions at the Islamabad Club on Tuesday.

Patrons XI head coach Ijaz Ahmed Junior said the fixture would provide an important opportunity for players selected for the Test series to prepare under match conditions.

"It is a good opportunity for the players included in the Test series to prepare. All the players in our squad have been playing domestic cricket, so we expect a good contest," Ijaz told PCB digital.

Patrons XI captain Saad Baig said adapting to the demands of red-ball cricket would be a key challenge for the players.

"There is time in red-ball cricket, and players need to adjust themselves quickly to its demands," Baig said.

Baig recently hit a 75-ball 74 to play a key role in Pakistan’s title winning triumph in the ODI tri-series which concluded at Lahore on October 31.

Baig added that he was feeling good about leading the side and considered the captaincy an honour.

Seven members of Pakistan's Test team are included in the Patrons XI squad.

Two additional fast bowlers from the Patrons XI squad will also be added to the Pakistan Test squad after the conclusion of the practice match, the Pakistan Cricket Board said.

The three-day fixture is expected to provide both sides with valuable preparation ahead of the Test series.

Following the warm-up game there will be two-day gap before both Sri  Lanka and Pakistan will meet in the first Test which will be held at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from November 9-13.

The second Test will be held at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore from November 17-21.

The series is part of the World Test Championship 2025-2027 cycle.

Of the nine-team contest Sri Lanka trail seventh as they have played six Tests, having won just one and lost two.

Pakistan are at the rock bottom with two wins and seven defeats from nine matches they have played so far.

New Zealand top the race, followed by South Africa, Australia, India, Bangladesh and England follow.

PCB Patron’s XI squad: Saad Baig (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Ali Shabbir, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Mohammad Salman, Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Tayyab Arif, Mohammad Taha, Saqib Khan, Sameer Minhas, Shoaib Akhtar Junior, Ubaid Shah.

Sri Lanka Test squad: Kusal Mendis (c), Anjala Bandara, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya De Silva, Sonal Dinusha, Asitha Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga, Kamindu Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Keshara Nuwantha, Milan Rathnayaka, Pasindu Sooriyabandara