Pakistan Test squad Sri Lanka series, Digi Mart USA News (Rawalpindi, Pakistan): Captain Babar Azam hopes an overhauled Pakistan can make a fresh start in the first Test against Sri Lanka, which begins in Rawalpindi on Monday after the team’s disastrous series against England.
The two-match series is Pakistan’s first since their 3-0 whitewash in England, after which seven players were sent home following the second Test. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were also sacked in a September overhaul, and white-ball coach Mike Hesson was brought into the Test set-up.
Only Salman Agha and Aamer Jamal have been recalled from the seven players sent home, and five of the 11 players who featured in the final Test at Edgbaston have been dropped. Senior wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, former skipper Shan Masood, and spin duo Sajid Khan and Noman Ali all missed out.
Batters Mohammad Taha, Saad Baig, Tayyab Arif and Sameer Minhas, along with pace bowlers Saqib Khan and Ali Shabbir, were all included for the first time. “During the England series we had planned to give new players a chance, so I am ready to fight with these young players,” Azam said on Sunday.
Azam also hopes to revive his batting form after 40 Test innings without a century, with his last Test ton coming against New Zealand in Karachi in December 2022. “I have played a few domestic matches and think that the more I play I will improve, so I am confident,” said Azam, who was reappointed captain in July.
The two-match series is part of the World Test Championship’s fourth cycle, with Pakistan ninth and last and Sri Lanka seventh. The second Test begins in Lahore on November 17.
Sri Lanka are also undergoing a Test reboot, with white-ball captain Kusal Mendis taking over the Test captaincy from Dhananjaya de Silva last month. “It’s exciting and I am happy to lead the side,” said Mendis.
“We have an experienced batting line-up, so we are ready for the challenge.”
