The Pakistan national cricket team toured Sri Lanka from 16 to 30 April 1997. The tour included two Tests between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Pakistan also played a first-class against Sri Lanka Board XI. The Test series ended in a draw with both matches drawn.
Pakistan's Waqar Younis was ruled out of the Test series due to a fractured toe on day two of the tour match against Sri Lanka Board XI.[2] The captain of his side and fellow paceman Wasim Akram also returned home owing to a shoulder injury.[3]
Sri Lanka Board XI won the toss and elected to bat.
The Marvan Atapattu-led Sri Lanka Board XI won the toss and elected to bat first. Opening batsman Russel Arnold of the Nondescripts Cricket Club top-scored for his side making 140 in 381 minutes striking 20 fours through his innings. He shared a 104-run stand with Sanjeeva Ranatunga (52) for the second wicket, before both were dismissed by Mohammad Zahid. Chasing 301 in their first innings, Pakistan lost their captain Rameez Raja cheaply towards the end of play on day one. Saleem Elahi and Saleem Malik then went on to score centuries on day two, making 106 in 272 minutes and 100 in 184 minutes respectively. For the Board XI, Arnold also shone with the ball claiming three wickets for 7 runs helping reduce the opposition from 242/3 to 281/8 at the end of play.[2]
Aravinda de Silva scored his 10th century in Sri Lanka's second innings and became the first batsman ever to score two unbeaten centuries in the same Test.[5]
