Pakistan captain Azhar Ali is counting on the return of test cricket in the country after 10 years away to turn around their fortunes.
Pakistan made a pitiful start to the world test championship recently when it lost both tests by innings margins against Australia in Brisbane and Adelaide.
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Pakistan captain Azhar Ali is counting on the return of test cricket in the country after 10 years away to turn around their fortunes.
“(But) moving forward we see this home series as an opportunity and advantage to turn things around.”
Zimbabwe was the first team to visit six years later for a limited-overs tour. Meanwhile, Pakistan played almost all of its home tests in the United Arab Emirates to sparse crowds.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to get back on the wining track. We will try our best to fix our mistakes and improve wherever we had been lacking. We have outstanding talent in our squad, they have potential, and if we implement it results will be good.”
Sri Lanka also has an advantage of good knowledge about Pakistan from Mickey Arthur, who was hired as the Sri Lanka coach last week. Arthur coached Pakistan for three years until he was removed after the Cricket World Cup in England in July.
“It’s a big advantage for us,” Karunaratne said. “Mickey ... knows everyone closely, and how the team is going to get prepared.”
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Sri Lankan cricket player Niroshan Dickwella bats during a training session for the first cricket test match against Pakistan at Pindi stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (AP PhotoAnjum Naveed)
Sri Lankan test team skipper Dimuth Karunaratne attends a training session for the first cricket test match against Pakistan at Pindi stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (AP PhotoAnjum Naveed)
Sri Lankan spinner Lakshan Sandakan bowls during a training session for the first cricket test match against Pakistan at Pindi stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (AP PhotoAnjum Naveed)
Sri Lankan cricket players attend a training session for the first cricket test match against Pakistan at Pindi stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (AP PhotoAnjum Naveed)
“We had a tough series in Australia and it’s very unfortunate the way we lost there, it was disappointing,” Azhar said on Tuesday, the day before they play Sri Lanka at Pindi Cricket Stadium.
Sri Lankan test team skipper Dimuth Karunaratne listens to a reporter during a press conference regarding a test series against Pakistan at Pindi cricket stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (AP PhotoAnjum Naveed)
“(But) moving forward we see this home series as an opportunity and advantage to turn things around.”
Pakistan and Sri Lanka will play two tests. Sri Lanka already has 60 points in the world test championship after it drew the series against New Zealand at home. Pakistan has yet to earn a point.
Sri Lanka was the last team to play a test in Pakistan in 2009 when terrorists attacked its team bus in Lahore. Eight people were killed in the ambush and several Sri Lanka players and officials were injured.
Sri Lankan test team skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, left, and his Pakistani counterpart Azhar Ali, right, pose for photograph with the trophy of cricket test series after their press conference in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (AP PhotoAnjum Naveed)
Zimbabwe was the first team to visit six years later for a limited-overs tour. Meanwhile, Pakistan played almost all of its home tests in the United Arab Emirates to sparse crowds.
Azhar has played 75 tests but this will be his first in Pakistan, as for all of his other 15 teammates.
“It’s a moment to rejoice, not only for the players but the whole Pakistan nation,” Azhar said.
Sri Lankan cricket player Kusal Mendis attends a training session for the first cricket test match against Pakistan at Pindi stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (AP PhotoAnjum Naveed)
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to get back on the wining track. We will try our best to fix our mistakes and improve wherever we had been lacking. We have outstanding talent in our squad, they have potential, and if we implement it results will be good.”
Pakistan has picked uncapped left-arm fast bowler Usman Shinwari in hope Pindi Stadium’s pitch will live up to its reputation as helpful to seamers. But Pakistan has history against its side, as it has lost its last three tests in Rawalpindi.
Azhar is also wary of a Sri Lanka side featuring captain Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, and former captain Angelo Matthews. Fast bowler Suranga Lakmal, who toured in 2009, had to pull out at the last minute due to dengue fever.
Sri Lankan head coach Micky Arthur explains some bating techniques to Niroshan Dickwella during a training session for the first cricket test match against Pakistan at Pindi stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (AP PhotoAnjum Naveed)
Sri Lanka also has an advantage of good knowledge about Pakistan from Mickey Arthur, who was hired as the Sri Lanka coach last week. Arthur coached Pakistan for three years until he was removed after the Cricket World Cup in England in July.
“Definitely, if someone is with you for so long he does have a lot of information about you,” Azhar said with a smile. “But in cricket these days we all have a lot of knowledge about each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and yet players score runs ... like David Warner did against us recently.”
Karunaratne said what Arthur knew about Pakistan was invaluable.
Sri Lankan cricket player Kusal Perera attends a training session for the first cricket test match against Pakistan at Pindi stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (AP PhotoAnjum Naveed)
“It’s a big advantage for us,” Karunaratne said. “Mickey ... knows everyone closely, and how the team is going to get prepared.”
Karunaratne will be playing a test for the first time, and said he was happy to be a part of Pakistan's first true home test in more than a decade.
“This is my first time in Pakistan so I am really excited," he said. “It’s a great pleasure for me.”
Sri Lankan spinner Lakshan Sandakan talks to teammates during a training session for the first cricket test match against Pakistan at Pindi stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (AP PhotoAnjum Naveed)
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Sri Lankan head coach Micky Arthur explains some bating techniques to Niroshan Dickwella during a training session for the first cricket test match against Pakistan at Pindi stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (AP PhotoAnjum Naveed)
Sri Lankan cricket player Niroshan Dickwella bats during a training session for the first cricket test match against Pakistan at Pindi stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (AP PhotoAnjum Naveed)
Sri Lankan test team skipper Dimuth Karunaratne attends a training session for the first cricket test match against Pakistan at Pindi stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (AP PhotoAnjum Naveed)
Sri Lankan spinner Lakshan Sandakan bowls during a training session for the first cricket test match against Pakistan at Pindi stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (AP PhotoAnjum Naveed)
Sri Lankan cricket players attend a training session for the first cricket test match against Pakistan at Pindi stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (AP PhotoAnjum Naveed)