Sri Lanka vs. Pakistan: Picking a Combined Test XI

Pakistan's current tour to Sri Lanka will see them play their hosts in three Tests, five one-dayers and two Twenty20 fixtures.

The first focus for both countries is the longest format of the game, with Pakistan looking to avenge their 2-0 defeat on their last tour to Sri Lanka.

They certainly made a positive start, winning the first match of the series in Galle by 10 wickets.

The teams meet again in Colombo for the next Test, which gets underway on June 25, before concluding the series in Pallekele.

But how many members of Pakistan's successful side from the first match would get in a combined Test XI? We examined the stats and selected a team from the two squads. 

Test appearances: 43

Batting average: 39.45

Mohammad Hafeez is an experienced player at the head of Pakistan's batting order who averages 39.45 in Test action.

The right-hander has hit eight centuries in 43 appearances, including a career-bear 224 against Bangladesh earlier this year.

Solid in defence, he's more than capable of punishing anything off target from opposition bowlers.

Hafeez has also offered his captain a solid bowling option with his off-spin, though, he has had problems with his action. He was reported for a second time after the first Test in Galle, per Umar Farooq of ESPNcricinfo.

Test appearances: 9

Batting average: 48.12

Ahmed Shehzad has made an excellent start to his Test career with Pakistan.

The 23-year-old batsman made his first-class debut at the age of just 15 and also impressed for his country at the youth level.

So far, he has also impressed in Test action. He has made three centuries to date, helping fill a problematic position as Hafeez's opening partner.

Despite his relative inexperience at the highest level, Shehzad has been selected to open for the combined XI in front of Sri Lankan pair Dimuth Karunaratne and Kaushal Silva.

Test appearances: 131

Batting average: 58.43

Although he is coming towards the end of the line in Test cricket, Kumar Sangakkara is still one of the best batsmen in the world—no matter what format he is playing in.

His 38 Test hundreds put him fourth on the all-time list, and his average puts him inside the top 10, sandwiched in between Wally Hammond and Sir Garfield Sobers.

Per Andrew Fernando of ESPNcricinfo, the left-hander will end his international career after the first Test of the next series, against India, in Galle.

If that is the case, we should enjoy the brilliance of Sangakkara while we still can. And seeing as he's still around, Pakistan's Azhar Ali misses out on batting three for the combined team.

Test appearances: 99

Batting average: 53.71

Just like Sangakkara for Sri Lanka, Younis Khan has been a pillar of strength for his country for well over a decade now.

The right-handed batsman has a tremendous conversion rate once he gets settled at the crease—he has made the same number of half-centuries as hundreds (29).

At 37, age doesn't seem to be slowing him down, either. Younis made over 1,000 Test runs last year for the first time since 2006.

He will bring up a landmark moment in his career when the second match of the series gets underway: It will be his 100th Test appearance, having made his debut against the same opponents back in 2000.

Test appearances: 56

Batting average: 48.82

Misbah-ul-Haq was a late bloomer for Pakistan, though, he's made up for lost time in recent years.

He made his Test debut back in 2001 but didn't become a regular in the side until six years later, making back-to-back hundreds in a series against archrivals India.

The right-hander has only made six more Test centuries since, though, he boasts an impressive average due to the number of times he has finished an innings unbeaten.

Misbah has relished the extra responsibility of captaincy—he is cool, calm and collected, whether out in the middle batting or leading his team on the field.

Test appearances: 47

Batting average: 50.26

Bowling average: 55.78

Angelo Mathews has averaged over 70 with the bat for the last two years in Test cricket.

He has also improved his batting average since being handed the captaincy, suggesting the extra burden has inspired—rather than hindered—his game.

Mathews showed his powers of concentration by staying at the crease for over seven hours in the first Test against Pakistan last year in Abu Dhabi, helping his team stave off the threat of defeat.

His bowling lacks wicket-taking potential in the longer format, though, he is easily good enough to be a third-seamer on dry pitches in his homeland.

Test appearances: 16

Batting average: 49.95

Sarfraz Ahmed has solved a problematic position for Pakistan, finally giving them a reliable wicketkeeper who can also contribute runs down the order.

The 28-year-old has made three Test hundreds so far, including 103 against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Pakistan's last tour to the country.

He made his Test debut in 2010 against Australia in Hobart, but he has patiently had to wait to become the first-choice gloveman.

Sri Lanka's Dinesh Chandimal misses out on a place in the combined XI, even though he has a Test average of 43.

Test appearances: 11

Bowling average: 31.51

Wahab Riaz gave the world a demonstration of his talents during the phenomenal spell of bowling at Australia's Shane Watson during the Cricket World Cup earlier this year.

Fast and furious, the left-arm paceman was pumped up in the quarter-final fixture. He bowled with great pace and hostility in a moment of pure sporting theatre.

While he lacks control at times, he provides his captain with a wicket-taking threat in all formats.

Wahab also has some ability with the bat, though, you wouldn't know it when you see his current average in Test action is 9.90.

Test appearances: 59

Bowling average: 29.94

Rangana Herath seems to relish the opportunity to bowl at Pakistan.

The left-arm spinner has taken 89 of his 262 Test wickets against Misbah-ul-Haq's side, including career-best match figures of 14 for 184 last year in Colombo.

He also relishes home comforts—his bowling average is 24.38 in his own back yard, compared to 42.16 on the road.

With a round-arm action, Herath is always attacking the stumps with the angle he delivers from, while also hoping to find some turn with the high amount of revolutions he imparts on the ball.

Test appearances: 8

Bowling average: 26.19

Leg-spinner Yasir Shah has made an impressive start to his Test career, having had to wait until October last year to be handed a debut.

Australia certainly found him tough to pick—he claimed 12 wickets in the two-match series in the United Arab Emirates at a healthy average of 17.25.

He also seemed to have Sri Lanka's number in the first Test, with his seven-wicket haul in the second innings setting up his side's emphatic victory.

Yasir could yet also prove to be handy for Pakistan with the bat, seeing as he has scored six half-centuries in his domestic career.

Test appearances: 21

Bowling average: 30.48

Junaid Khan gets the nod as the second seamer, beating out competition from the Sri Lankan trio of Dhammika Prasad, Suranga Lakmal and Nuwan Pradeep.

Pakistan's other left-arm paceman doesn't possess the ability to bowl at the same speed as Wahab Riaz, but he is still quick enough to bother any international batsman.

He has claimed five wickets in an innings on five occasions—all of them against Sri Lanka.

There is one added benefit from picking both Wahab and Junaid: The pair will create rough in their follow-through for spinners Herath and Yasir to utilise.

If you don't agree with any of the choices, use the comments section to argue your case.  

All stats used in the article were from ESPNcricinfo and Howstat.com