The three-Test series is the first between Pakistan and Sri Lanka since armed gunmen fired on the Sri Lankan team bus while the players were on their way to resume a Test match in the Pakistani city of Lahore on March 3. Seven Sri Lankan cricketers were injured and eight local security men were killed in the attack that forced the cricket world to abandon Pakistan as a venue for international cricket.

The series opens at the Galle International Stadium just two weeks after Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka in the final of the World Twenty20 at Lord’s in London. Pakistan have never lost a Test series in Sri Lanka, winning three – including the past two in 2000 and 2006 – and drawing the other two. It is a creditable achievement considering that Sri Lanka, with the record-breaking spinner Muttiah Muralitharan in their ranks, have proved almost unbeatable at home in recent times.

Of the 19 home Tests Sri Lanka have played in the past five years, they have won 13, drawn four and lost just two – one of them to Pakistan by eight wickets in Kandy in April 2006.

Pakistan has not experienced the rigor of a Test match on foreign soil since a two-match series in India in December 2007. Even at home, Pakistan has played just one series over the past two years. Pakistan will be boosted by the return of veteran batsman Mohammad Yousuf, 34, and seasoned all-rounder Abdul Razzaq, 29, to the Test fold after they ended their links with the rebel Indian Cricket League.

Kumar Sangakkara, leading Sri Lanka for the first time in a Test series, was confident his team had overcome both the tragedy in Lahore and the loss in the Twenty20 final and was ready to clash with Pakistan again. The rivals are also scheduled to play five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 match after the Test series.

Sidharth Monga in Galle wrote for Cricinfo, analyze the series as:

For all the lack of hype to this series, for the absence of the sort of glamor – and controversy there is a world of intrigue and sub-plots beneath the surface. It lies in the characteristic skills of Murali, Mendis and Malinga. It lies in Pakistan’s status as the first team to welcome back players who left them for the ICL. Will Mohammad Yousuf be able to put behind him all he has been through over the last two years? How different will Sangakkara’s team be from Jayawardene’s? Will it lose that distinct Jayawardene stamp? Or will that touch, the artistry, the individuality, be reinforced?

It lies in the tracks that assist nothing but spin, Umar Gul and Lasith Malinga will want to supplement their limited-over credentials by winning Tests. Will we see a 17-year-old surprise?

These two teams have enough talent to promise a cracking series, although Sri Lanka will go in as favorites, by virtue of playing at home and having played more and regular Test cricket. But there is no reason why Pakistan shouldn’t surprise the world, as they did in the World Twenty20.

We wish paksiatn team Best of Luck and lots of prayers to grab another win under their belt with pride.