The final Test Pakistan received started a 12 months in the past on Sunday in opposition to Sri Lanka in Galle, and captain Babar Azam hopes to lastly document one other win within the match beginning on the identical date and floor.
“Really excited to be back in red-ball format and all eyes are on the Galle Test as we are prepared and ready for the challenge,” Azam informed reporters on Saturday.
The batsman is the one cricketer on the earth ranked within the prime three in all three codecs — third in Tests, first in ODIs and second in T20 internationals.
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But his aspect’s kind is a marked distinction: it has received none of its final six Tests, and final 12 months’s Galle fixture was its solely long-format victory because the begin of 2022.
“We are taking one step at a time, but we have to be consistent across all formats,” Azam stated.
“One of the positives going into the Galle Test is that 13 of our players were here 12 months ago.”
The two-match collection marks the beginning of its ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 participation, and Azam was delighted to have Shaheen Shah Afridi again within the aspect.
The quick bowler is sitting on 99 Test wickets and can intention to change into the fourth-fastest Pakistan fast to finish a century of wickets.
He has been ready to achieve the mark for a 12 months, after being injured on the similar Galle floor.
“Besides his wicket-taking abilities, his presence always motivates and lifts the side. I know Shaheen has badly missed red-ball cricket and is hungry for Test cricket,” the captain added.
Pakistan will make full use of newly appointed group director Mickey Arthur — a former Sri Lanka coach — as a supply of details about the opposition.
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“Like any host country, Sri Lanka will like to play to their strength, which is spin bowling,” stated Azam.
“We have had good feedback about the Sri Lanka side from their former coach and I think we are well prepared to take them on.”
Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne stated his principal intention was to win all the house matches within the ICC World Test Championship and some away from dwelling, to make sure they’ve an opportunity of qualifying for the finals.
“It’s good to start the World Test Championship with a home series,” he stated.
“We know the teams we are up against. We could have easily been in the finals if we had won the two Tests against Australia and Pakistan last year.
“We’ve learnt from our mistakes and we are well prepared for the first Test.”
Sri Lanka are placing out virtually the identical aspect that beat Ireland 2-0 in a two-match collection in April, the one change being Kasun Rajitha changing Asitha Fernando.
Karunaratne stated it was essential that the openers negotiate Shaheen’s overs.
“Once the ball gets old and with the wind he can reverse the ball as well,” he stated.
“If you look at the Pakistan side they are well equipped in all departments,” he added.
“Both teams are confident but we are looking at winning every session and dominating the match.”
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com