Abu Dhabi(September 28, 2017): Pakistan will play first Test match of a three-match series against Sri Lanka in Sheikh Zayed Stadium (Abu Dhabi) today.
Pakistan will step into a new Test era without retired batting greats Younus Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq, when they take on Sri Lanka in the first Test in Abu Dhabi from today.
Playing without Younus and Misbah is unaccustomed territory for Pakistan, who haven’t had a Test featuring either of the talismanic, prolific pair in seven years.
Together, Younus and Misbah have appeared in 193 Tests, accumulating 15,331 runs, 44 centuries and 15 century stands between them, briefly lifting the team to the top of the Test rankings in August last year.
Earlier, Sri Lankan skipper Dinesh Chandimal said on Wednesday that due to the retirement of Misbah ul Haq and Younis Khan, the visiting side will have an advantage over Pakistan in the three-match test series, starting from tomorrow.
Speaking at a press conference in a trophy-unveiling ceremony, Chandimal said: “Misbah and Younis, both played great cricket throughout their careers, it is an advantage for the Sri Lanka that two strong players are not in Pakistani batting unit.”
The skipper said that the Sri Lankan team requires just one win to get a winning rhythm, adding that the team is focusing not on one match – but on the entire series.
The Sri Lankan captain said that the team has not yet discussed its tour to Lahore.
Speaking at the press conference, Pakistani skipper Sarfraz Ahmed said that series against Sri Lanka will be challenging for the Pakistani team.
He said that he will tell the Sri Lanka players that Pakistan is a safe place and they should visit it to play the scheduled-t20.
Ahmed said that Azhar Ali, Babar Azam and Asad Shafiq will strengthen the team’s middle order batting, adding that legspinner Yasir Shah will play a pivotal role in the series.
“I have learned a lot from Misbah and Younis. My team’s passion and hopes are high, we will certainly give a good performance,” he said.
They have dominated the batting at Pakistan´s venues in United Arab Emirates (UAE), where they have been forced to play home games since a deadly terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009.
Younus is not only Pakistan´s highest Test runs scorer, with 10,099, but the slips fielding specialist also holds the national record of 139 catches in 118 Tests.
Pakistan Squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Azhar Ali, Shan Masood, Sami Aslam, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Asghar, Bilal Asif, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas, Wahab Riaz
Sri Lanka Squad: Dinesh Chandimal (captain), Lahiru Thirimanne (vice-capt), Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Rangana Herath, Lakshan Sandakan, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Gamage
Umpires: Ian Gould (ENG) and Nigel Llong (ENG), Tv umpire: Richard Kettleborough (ENG)
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