ABU DHABI: Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat against Pakistan in the first Test at Abu Dhabi today.
Pakistan is stepping into a new Test era without retired batting greats Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq as they take on Sri Lanka.
Playing without Younis and Misbah is unaccustomed territory for Pakistan, who haven’t had a test featuring either of the talismanic, prolific pair in seven years.
The pair made Pakistan so invincible that they have not lost any of the nine series they have played in UAE, with new captain Sarfraz Ahmed admitting it will be tough to replace them.
“Obviously, it´s not easy to fill the void they left as they were the backbone of our batting,” said Sarfraz earlier this week.
“Their contributions were immense but now we have to move on.”
Fast-rising batsman Babar Azam at four and Haris Sohail, who is yet to play a test, will attempt to fill the void, while Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq will also be expected to play a leading role.
Azhar was in doubt for the first Test after suffering a knee injury but he has since responded well to treatment, while Yasir Shah will lead the spin attack in a squad with five fast bowlers.
Shah, who took 24 wickets in Pakistan´s 2-1 series win in Sri Lanka two years ago, will be assisted by uncapped spinners Mohammad Asghar and Bilal Asif.
Sri Lanka, who lost 3-0 at home to India last month, will be looking to right the ship after a torrid run of results which has had the media and fans on their back.
But they will be without their key all-rounder and former captain Angelo Mathews, who has been ruled out of the first Test with a calf strain.
After the trophy unveiling, Sri Lankan captain Dinesh Chandimal expressed that his side has an advantage due to Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan’s absence in Pakistan playing XI after their retirement.
Chandimal accepted that the previous series of Sri Lanka was not good as it should have been, but he expected that his team will regain its lost form.
Squads
Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (capt), 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: Dinesh Chandimal (capt), 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)
ICC match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)
