Pakistan chances of winning their first series against Sri Lanka in their home ground for the first time in eight year hinges on the performance of batsmen and on their mindset.
These views were expressed by former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif in an interview on Monday.
“Pakistan batting had always been vulnerable and if they played well and clicked together with their full potential they got chances to upset Sri Lankans,” he said.
However, he said, it will be big challenge for them against well balanced and experienced combination of the home team.
He said Pakistan batsmen may be cautious as they will be vying for the selection of Pakistan team for the next year’s World Cup.
“This cautious approach in Test matches may benefit as well as prove otherwise in the interest of the team,” he commented.
“In this scenario, mindset of our batsmen will be crucial in the outcome of the series,” he said.
Rashid Latif said there are a lot of new in Pakistan team management and players must show quick adaptation with them for achieving desired results.
He favored using Ahmed Shahzad and Khurram Manzoor as the opening combination.
“Ahmed Shahzad is an attacking batsmen while Khurram graft his innings which is good,” he added.
He rated Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan as the backbone of team’s batting.
“I want attacking mindset from Misbah as captain as well as a batsman. This will be the good impact on opposition and his team,” he pointed out.
He rated Pakistan bowling above their batting. However, he said Saeed Ajmal not be major threat for the Lankans as they had played a lot of cricket against him.
“Saeed Ajmal should more positive and should bowl over the wickets with line in the middle and off instead of containing line like in One-dayers.
He said Junaid Khan, Wahab Riaz, Rahat Ali and Muhammad Talha are not very experienced but proved to be threat for Lankan batting at times.
He said Jayarwardene and Kumar Sangakkara are key figure and pillars of Sri Lankan batting and if our bowler got them early they put pressure on them.
He said left arm spinner Ranagna Herath could pose problem for Pakistan batting which he had done in the past as well.
Former keeper said Pakistan team had done well in the Sri Lanka in past but Sri Lankan team will be carring big home advantage,” he said.
