The PCB Patrons XI will take on the Sri Lankan team in a three-day practice match starting Wednesday (tomorrow) at the Islamabad Club Ground as both teams prepare for the upcoming Test series, 24NewsHD TV reported.
Both teams held training sessions at the Islamabad Club on Tuesday, a day before the match.
Patrons XI head coach Ijaz Ahmed Junior said the practice match would provide a valuable opportunity for players selected for the Test series to prepare under match conditions.
He said all players in the Patrons XI squad had been playing domestic cricket and expressed hope for a good and competitive contest.
The PCB Patrons XI captain Saad Baig said red-ball cricket required patience, adding that players needed to adjust quickly to the demands of the longer format.
He also said he felt honoured to lead the Patrons XI and was happy with the responsibility.
The 13-member Patrons XI squad includes seven players from Pakistan’s Test squad, giving them a chance to gain valuable match practice before the two-Test series.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has also decided to add two more fast bowlers from the Patrons XI to the national Test squad after the practice match ends on November 6.
The first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will begin in Rawalpindi on November 9, while the second Test will be played in Lahore from November 17.
