The second Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Test starts at 10:00am IST on Tuesday, 17 November, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, on the same ground where last week’s first Test was drawn. That makes this one of the easier Test fantasy contests to read, because we have five days of fresh evidence from the same venue and largely the same players. What follows is our opinion on the picks that make sense. It is not a prediction and nothing here is guaranteed: Test cricket is long, weather in Rawalpindi in late November is unpredictable, and both XIs will only be confirmed at the toss.
If you want the full squads, pitch history and match context first, read our Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test preview.
What the first Test told us
Three things stood out from the drawn first Test (9 to 13 November). First, the surface was good for batting for most of three days: Pakistan made 434 for 9 declared and Sri Lanka replied with 446. Second, spin became a real factor later on, which is when debutant off-spinner Saqib Khan took seven wickets in Sri Lanka’s innings. Third, the weather cut short a lot of play, including an early finish for bad light on day four. Only 27 wickets fell in the whole game.
In fantasy terms, that points towards batters who bat long, spinners who bowl lots of overs, and a sensible respect for the chance of lost time. Short, flashy picks are less valuable in a game like this.
Probable XIs (not confirmed)
- Pakistan (probable): Azan Awais, Tayyab Arif, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Taha, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Arafat Minhas, Saqib Khan, Mohammad Abbas, Aamer Jamal or Mohammad Suleman.
- Sri Lanka (probable): Lahiru Udara, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis (c), Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Milan Rathnayaka, Sonal Dinusha, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Lahiru Kumara, Prabath Jayasuriya.
Check the team sheets at the toss (9:30am IST) before you lock anything in. Sri Lanka in particular may change their bowling mix.
Captain and vice-captain options
Saud Shakeel (Pakistan)
The most consistent batter in the first Test by a distance: 93 in the first innings and 97 in the second, the latter from 210 balls. He occupies the crease, he plays spin well, and he bats in the middle order where he is likely to get time in both innings if the weather allows. For a captaincy pick in a Test, that combination of form and occupation is hard to beat. In our view he is the safest captain choice.
Dhananjaya de Silva (Sri Lanka)
De Silva made 167 last week and has history here: he also scored an unbeaten hundred in the 2019 Rawalpindi Test. He bowls useful off-spin too, which gives him a second way to score points if the pitch turns late. He is our pick for vice-captain, and a reasonable alternative captain for those who want to back Sri Lanka.
Saqib Khan (Pakistan)
The bolder captaincy option. Seven wickets on debut on this very ground is a strong signal, and if the pitch behaves the same way he will bowl a large share of the overs. The risk is obvious: one Test is a small sample, and Sri Lanka’s batters will have studied him closely. Good as a differential captain in larger contests, in our opinion.
Other strong picks
- Kusal Mendis (SL, wk-batter): a hundred in his first Test as captain. As a wicketkeeper option he gives you batting points plus catches.
- Babar Azam (PAK): 50 and 34 last week, and an unbeaten hundred in the 2019 Rawalpindi Test against this opponent. He has the class to go big on a true surface.
- Kamindu Mendis (SL): 58 in the first innings and a part-time spin option. All-round value at a sensible price on most platforms.
- Mohammad Abbas (PAK): tight and accurate in the first Test, where he removed Kamindu Mendis. Wickets come slower for him on flat pitches, but his control with the new ball makes him a steady points source.
- Prabath Jayasuriya (SL), if picked: if Sri Lanka bring in their frontline left-arm spinner, he becomes a strong pick on a surface that helped Saqib.
Differentials and risky picks
- Tayyab Arif (PAK): 57 off 51 balls on debut. He scores quickly, which matters in a game where time may be short, but he is less proven than the middle order.
- Mohammad Taha (PAK): a steady 51 on debut. Lower ownership than Babar or Shakeel and capable of a long innings.
- Milan Rathnayaka (SL): took wickets in both Pakistan innings, including Babar in the second. A decent lower-order hitter too.
- Arafat Minhas (PAK): a bowling all-rounder who can contribute in both departments; a cheap fifth bowler option.
A sample team (opinion only)
One balanced combination, assuming the probable XIs above are close:
- Wicketkeeper: Kusal Mendis
- Batters: Saud Shakeel (captain), Babar Azam, Mohammad Taha
- All-rounders: Dhananjaya de Silva (vice-captain), Kamindu Mendis, Arafat Minhas
- Bowlers: Saqib Khan, Mohammad Abbas, Milan Rathnayaka, Prabath Jayasuriya (swap for Asitha Fernando if he does not play)
This leans 6-5 towards Pakistan because they are at home and have the spinner who did the damage last week. If you think Sri Lanka’s batters will dominate again, switch the captaincy to de Silva and bring in Lahiru Udara for Taha.
Weather and timing reminders
Play is scheduled from 9:30am to 4:30pm local (10:00am to 5:00pm IST). Days are short in November and the first Test lost play to rain and bad light. If rain is forecast on the morning of the match, lean further towards top-order batters who will get a chance in the first innings, and away from bowlers whose value depends on a fourth or fifth day.
FAQ
Who is the best captain pick for PAK vs SL 2nd Test fantasy?
In our opinion, Saud Shakeel is the safest choice after scores of 93 and 97 on this ground last week. Dhananjaya de Silva and Saqib Khan are the main alternatives.
When are the Pakistan and Sri Lanka playing XIs announced?
At the toss, at 9:30am IST on 17 November. Always check the final XIs before the deadline.
Are these fantasy picks guaranteed to score?
No. These are opinions based on recent form and conditions. Fantasy cricket involves uncertainty, and no pick is guaranteed to perform.
Quick facts
- Match: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 2nd Test, 17 to 21 November 2026
- Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
- Start: 10:00am IST (toss 9:30am IST)
- First Test: drawn; Saqib Khan Player of the Match