Pakistan will be hosting Test cricket for the first time in more than 10 years, that too with a full strength Sri Lanka squad, in December 2019. Dimuth Karunaratne will lead the Sri Lanka side, with experienced batsmen Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal also in the 16-member squad. The team leaves for Pakistan on December 8, where they will play two Test matches that will count towards the World Test Championship.

Less than three months ago, Sri Lanka had toured Pakistan for limited-overs matches but as many as 10 high-profile names had withdrawn then.

There's only one change to the squad that played the second Test against New Zealand in August. Kasun Rajitha, the right-arm fast bowler, replaced legspinner Akila Dananjaya who is currently serving a one-year suspension over an illegal action.

The first Test will start on December 11 in Rawalpindi followed by the second in Karachi from December 19. The country has not hosted a Test match since the 2009 Lahore terror attack that saw several Sri Lankan cricketers and support staff receiving injuries. Suranga Lakmal, the fast bowler, was part of Sri Lanka's squad back then as well.

Test squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Perera (wk), Lahiru Thirimanne, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Dilruwan Perera, Lasith Embuldeniya, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Lakshan Sandakan

More to follow...