Srinagar: The hosts Sri Lanka are going to start its Test series against Pakistan on Sunday with captain Dimuth Karunaratne confident that his team is ready for Babar Azam.
The first Test of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 between Pakistan and Sri Lanka begins in Galle on Sunday.
Galle is a venue where Pakistan and Sri Lanka have achieved mixed results.
In the seven Tests to date, Sri Lanka have won four times (2009, 2012, 2014 and 2022), while Pakistan have won thrice – by an innings and 163 runs (2000), 10 wickets (2015) and four wickets (2022).
“Everyone knows he [Babar] is a great batsman, and he was in the top-five rankings in all the formats,” said Karunaratne ahead of the first Test .
“The thing is the way he batted on last tour, he knew how to head up the conditions and the wickets. So we knew what we have to do against him.
“We have a few plans, and hopefully, we can restrict him in the first Test and in the second Test as well. We have some plans for him, hopefully, it works.”
The second and last Test of the series will be played in Colombo from 24 July.