Both Sri Lanka and Pakistan will embark upon their World Test Championship 2023-25 campaign with two Test matches, at the Galle International Stadium in Galle and the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.

Sri Lanka hosted Pakistan in 2022 for two Test matches in 2022 as well. Galle had hosted both Test matches on that occasion. Pakistan had won the first Test by four wickets, but Sri Lanka drew level with a 246-run triumph at the same venue.

For the full squads of both Sri Lanka and Pakistan, click here.

Pakistan hold a 21-17 head-to-head advantage over Sri Lanka in the format (there have been 16 draws). Even on Sri Lankan soil, they hold a 9-8 advantage. They will be boosted by the return of Shaheen Shah Afridi, who impressed in the two-day warm-up match.

In the 2021-23 WTC, Pakistan won only one series – in Bangladesh in 2021/22 – drew three, and lost two, but they ended the cycle without losing a series away from home. Their last defeat on an overseas tour took place in 2020/21, in New Zealand.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, finished third in the 2021-23 WTC. At home, they have not lost a Test series since 2020/21, and have not lost to any side barring England since 2017.

The commentary panel for the series will feature Ramiz Raja, who used to be chair of the Pakistan Cricket Board not too long ago.

SL vs PAK 2023 Tests: Full list of commentators and presenters for Sri Lanka v Pakistan 2023

The commentary panel for the Test series includes Russel Arnold, former international cricketer, and Roshan Abeysinghe from Sri Lanka; former captains Ramiz Raja and Aamer Sohail from Pakistan; and former Zimbabwean cricketer Tino Mawoyo.