Sri Lanka arrive in Pakistan for historic Test series
First Test to be played in Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from December 11.
Fawad Alam terms his Test cricket return
- First Test to be played in Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from December 11.
- Fawad Alam terms his Test cricket return as ‘second debut’.
Sri Lanka Cricket team accompanied by former Head Coach Mickey Arthur has arrived in Islamabad for two-match Test series starting from December 11.
The 15-member squad led by Dimuth Karunaratne landed at Islamabad International Airport earlier this morning.
Touchdown Islamabad 🛬@OfficialSLC arrived this morning for the #PAKvSL Test series.
The action starts in two days, get your tickets now. See you at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. pic.twitter.com/FKlr7nm6vb
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 9, 2019
The Islanders returned to play Test cricket in Pakistan, will be the first five-day outing on the national soil since the infamous Sri Lankan team attack in 2009 which closed doors of international cricket from the country.
Arrival of Sri Lanka team at Islamabad.
Warm welcome to the visitors to the federal capital.#PAKvSL action to being on Wednesday. Get your match tickets now! 🎫 pic.twitter.com/8e6OqMPhpm
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 9, 2019
Commenting of Test cricket return, Pakistan middle order batsman Fawad Alam said Sri Lanka’s Test tour to Pakistan after 10 years is historic and that it is up to ‘all of us to make the series a success’.
“This will be beneficial for us all as a nation as well as for Pakistani cricket,” he said. “Test cricket is returning to Pakistan after such a long time. I urge cricket lovers to come see the matches which will be thoroughly enjoyable,” added the 34-year-old.
The Karachi native is also making his comeback in the national side in the longest format of the game after a decade. He last represented Pakistan in red-ball game was against New Zealand in 2009.
The left-hander termed his return as ‘second debut’. "I said the other day it will almost feel like a debut, and that's true because it's been such a long time since I last played," Fawad told reporters in Karachi.
The Test series kicks off on December 11 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The two sides will then head to Karachi for the second game from December 19 at the National Stadium.
The last Test series to be played in Pakistan was between the hosts and Sri Lanka back in 2009.
Squads:
Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Perera, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Dilruwan Perera, Lasith Embuldeniya, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, and Lakshan Sandakan. Substitute player from the end Test: Asitha Fernando.
Pakistan: Azhar Ali (captain), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket keeper), Babar Azam, Abid Ali, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Imran Khan, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Yasir Shah, and Usman Shinwari.
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