Pakistan to prepare fast pitches for Sri Lanka home Test series
The PCB has decided to prepare fast pitches for the two-Test home series against Sri Lanka. The first Test starts on 9 November in Rawalpindi.
- Fast pitches will be prepared for both Tests against Sri Lanka.
- First Test starts 9 November in Rawalpindi; second from 17 November in Lahore.
- Pakistan are ninth in the ICC Test rankings and the World Test Championship table.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to prepare fast pitches for the home Test series against Sri Lanka, according to Express News and Daily Pakistan. Minute Mirror reported that head coach Mike Hesson has directed ground staff to prepare pace-friendly surfaces for both matches.
The two-match series begins on 9 November in Rawalpindi. The second Test is scheduled to start on 17 November in Lahore. Daily Pakistan reported that the team's preparations for the Lahore Test have started.
The series follows a difficult run for the side. Express News reported that Pakistan lost six of seven matches overseas this year, winning only one, in the West Indies. It added that the team lost both Tests in Bangladesh and was beaten 0-3 by England in the last series.
Pakistan are ninth in the ICC Test rankings and also ninth in the World Test Championship standings, according to Express News and Minute Mirror. Express News said only Zimbabwe are below them in the rankings table.
Team management is considering major changes. Minute Mirror and Express News reported that Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood, Mohammad Imran and Mohammad Ali are no longer part of the team's plans. Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal are the leading candidates to open the batting, the reports said.
Fast bowlers Mohammad Abbas and Razaullah are expected to join the national squad after the three-day match against Sri Lanka, in which PCB Patrons XI play, according to the reports. Babar Azam is playing in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy after Hesson asked him to play domestic four-day cricket to regain form, Express News reported.
Daily Pakistan quoted Babar Azam as saying, in Urdu, that he would try his best to fulfil his responsibility well as captain and batter. The paper reported that he will lead the team in the series and that the captain regards Sri Lanka as a strong opponent. Express News said the management hopes young players will improve results in the next cycle.
Background
khabr.pk reported on 2 November that Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by three wickets in the final to win the tri-nation ODI series, and that the team then turned to the two-match Test series against the same opponents.
Why it matters
Cricket fans in Pakistan will watch both home Tests, in Rawalpindi and Lahore, closely. Pitch choices at home shape the team's chances after a poor run overseas. Selection changes and the form of players such as Babar Azam in domestic cricket are also followed closely by supporters.
