Pakistan train for first home Test in a decade amid heavy security - in pictures

Rawalpindi stadium turns into a fortress for first Test against Sri Lanka

Pakistan's Babar Azam, left, and Musa Khan during a practice session at the Pindi Cricket Stadium. AFP

Pakistan's Naseem Shah, holding bat, takes part in a practice session at the Pindi Cricket Stadium ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi. AFP

Paramilitary soldiers outside the Pindi Cricket Stadium which will host the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Test from Wednesday. AP

Security officers at a checkpoint near the Pindi Cricket stadium in Rawalpindi on Monday. AP

Pakistan seamer Usman Shinwari during a practice session at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Monday. AFP

Pakistan players train for the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi. AFP

Paramilitary soldiers at the Pindi Cricket stadium in Rawalpindi on Monday. AP

Pakistan host Sri Lanka in a two-Test series, which will be the first in the country since the 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore. AP

Almost the entire Pakistan squad has never played Test cricket at home. AFP

Pakistan's Haris Sohail, left, and Asad Shafiq during a practice session at the Pindi Cricket Stadium. AFP

Soldiers outside the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi. AFP

Pakistani pacer Usman Shinwari is likely to make his Test debut against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi. AP

Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq, centre, during a practice session in Rawalpindi on Monday. AFP

Pakistan batsman Abid Ali in Rawalpindi on Monday. AFP

Pakistan pacer Naseem Shah during training at the Pindi Cricket Stadium. AP

Pakistan batsman Babar Azam trains in Rawalpindi on Monday. AP

It is going to be a major week for cricket in Pakistan as the country prepares to host its first Test match in a decade. Sri Lanka are in Pakistan to take part in a two-Test series, with the opening game scheduled to start in Rawalpindi from Wednesday.

International cricket left Pakistan's shores after the 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore. And coincidentally, it is the Sri Lankan team which is bringing Test cricket back to the country.

Pakistan players trained at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Monday as they look at raise their performances substantially.

Azhar Ali's team lost both the Tests in Australia by an innings, with their inexperienced bowling attack labelled one of the worst to travel to the country.

Pakistan will also want to avenge the T20 series defeat in October. Then, a second-string Sri Lankan side defeated Pakistan, the top-ranked T20 team, 3-0 in one of the most unexpected results of the year.

The Test series will be a challenge for Pakistan as Sri Lanka have arrived with seasoned players like Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Suranga Lakmal and Dilruwan Perera.

Above is a picture gallery of the training session on Monday. To move on to the next image, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.