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By APD writer Muhammad Sohail
ISLAMABAD, Sept. 28 (APD) -- Pakistan cricket team will take on Sri Lankan side on Thursday in the first Test match of the two-match series in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Pakistani and Sri Lankan teams would play a five-day Test match at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi from Sept. 28 to Oct. 2. Pakistan is hosting the series at the neutral venues in UAE.
It will be the first time in last eight years that Pakistan team will go to ground for a Test match without their legendary players, including former Captain Misbah ul Haq and record-holding batsman Younis Khan.
Together, Misbah and Younis played 193 Tests, making 15,331 runs, 44 centuries and 15 century stands between them, and finally leading their side to become the World No. 1 Test cricket team last year.
Following the retirement of the two players, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appointed Sarfaraz Ahmad as skipper of the side. The upcoming series will be a tough challenge for Safaraz, especially in the absence of the two great players of their time.
Confident and cautious Sarfaraz told media that no doubt it would be a tough encounter, but they will go to display the best talent present in the team
Pakistan will select their final playing eleven out of the 16-member side which was announced by Inzamam ul Haq, the chief selector of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), earlier this month.
Pakistani team is a blend of senior and young players. The team is likely to depend on the combination of more fast bowlers to pressurize the Sri Lankan side.
Pakistan has psychological and high moral advantage over Sri Lanka as it has won 19 matches out of 51 matches played between them so far, while Sri Lanka won 14 and 18 were drawn.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
