Azam says new Pakistan Test squad ready to fight against Sri Lanka
RAWALPINDI: Captain Babar Azam hopes an overhauled Pakistan can make a fresh start in the first Test against Sri Lanka that begins in Rawalpindi on Monday after their disastrous series against England.
Rawalpindi will host the first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka on Monday, marking the team's return after a series loss to England. Captain Babar Azam believes a revamped Pakistan squad is poised to make a strong impression. The two-match series is Pakistan's inaugural since their 3-0 defeat in England, where seven players were dismissed, including head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul.
Mike Hesson joined the Test setup as white-ball coach. Only two players from the dismissed group, Salman Agha and Aamer Jamal, were retained, while five of the 11 who played in the final Test at Edgbaston were also dropped. Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, former captain Shan Masood, and spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali were left out.
Azam expressed his readiness to fight alongside the new players and hopes to regain his batting form after 40 Test innings without a century, having last scored a century against New Zealand in Karachi in December 2022. The World Test Championship's fourth cycle features Pakistan at the ninth position and Sri Lanka at the seventh.
The second Test will commence in Lahore on November 17. Sri Lanka is also attempting a Test renewal, with white-ball captain Kusal Mendis replacing Dhananjaya de Silva last month.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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