Pakistan to launch new faces against Sri Lanka

ABU DHABI: Head Coach Mickey Arthur says ‘new era of Pakistan cricket’ will begin when the man in green will face Sri Lanka in the first Test beginning from Thursday.

The upcoming Test will be the first following the retirement of the legendary duo Misbah ul Haq and Younis Khan. Both legends of Pakistan crickets bid farewell to the game back in May this year after successful West Indies tour.

Talking to reporters in Abu Dhabi, Arthur said, “A new era is about to begin for [Pakistan cricket] after Misbah and Younis.”

“Sri Lanka won’t be an easy opponent,” he said, while expressing good wishes for Sarfraz Ahmed, who will be playing his first Test as captain this week.

Commenting on fitness of Yasir Shah, he said, “Yasir has been bowling with [full rhythm] in the nets, we have no fitness problems so far.”

The coach said one or two uncapped players will be given a chance to make their debuts during the first Test.

It is pertinent to mention here that, five uncapped players have been selected in the Pakistan squad for the Test series, including young pacer Mir Hamza.

Batsmen Haris Sohail and Usman Salahuddin have both played ODIs for Pakistan but are yet to make their Test debuts.