Test Cricket is set to return to Pakistan after a gap of more than a decade as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday (November 14) confirmed the itinerary of two World Test Championship fixtures against Sri Lanka.

Rawalpindi will host the first Test from 11-15 December, while the second Test will be played in Karachi from 19-23 December.

“Originally, Sri Lanka were scheduled to play Tests in October and then return in December for white-ball cricket, but the matches were swapped to provide them the opportunity to assess the situation before deciding on the Test venues,” PCB said in a media release.

“The Test series schedule was confirmed today after Cricket Sri Lanka gave their thumbs-up to fulfill their Future Tours Programme commitment following a highly successful visit for white-ball cricket. The tour not only delivered security from the top draw, but packed houses sent out a loud and clear message about the security situation in the country as well as passion for the game,” the press release further added.

In September-October, Sri Lanka had toured Pakistan for three ODIs and as many T20Is despite some of their key players opted out of the trip.

While the hosts had won the ODI series 2-0, the second string Sri Lankan side inflicted a 3-0 whitewash over Pakistan in the shortest format.