NEW DELHI: The final Check Pakistan received started a 12 months in the past on Sunday towards Sri Lanka in Galle, and captain Babar Azam hopes to lastly report one other win within the match beginning on the identical date and floor.
“Actually excited to be again in red-ball format and all eyes are on the Galle Check as we’re ready and prepared for the problem,” Azam instructed reporters on Saturday.
The batsman is the one cricketer on this planet ranked within the prime three in all three codecs — third in Exams, first in ODIs and second in T20 internationals.
However his aspect’s kind is a marked distinction: they’ve received none of their final six Exams, and final 12 months’s Galle fixture was their solely long-format victory for the reason that begin of 2022.
“We’re taking one step at a time, however we have now to be constant throughout all codecs,” Azam stated.
“One of many positives going into the Galle Check is that 13 of our gamers have been right here 12 months in the past.”
The 2-match sequence marks the beginning of their ICC World Check Championship 2023-25 participation, and Azam was delighted to have Shaheen Shah Afridi again within the aspect.
The quick bowler is sitting on 99 Check wickets and can intention to turn out to be the fourth-fastest Pakistan fast to finish a century of wickets.
He has been ready to achieve the mark for a 12 months, after being injured on the similar Galle floor.
“In addition to his wicket-taking skills, his presence at all times motivates and lifts the aspect. I do know Shaheen has badly missed red-ball cricket and is hungry for Check cricket,” the captain added.
Pakistan will make full use of newly appointed staff director Mickey Arthur — a former Sri Lanka coach — as a supply of details about the opposition.
“Like all host nation, Sri Lanka will wish to play to their energy, which is spin bowling,” stated Azam.
“We’ve had good suggestions concerning the Sri Lanka aspect from their former coach and I feel we’re effectively ready to take them on.”
Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne stated his essential intention was to win all the house matches within the ICC World Check Championship and some away from house, to make sure they’ve an opportunity of qualifying for the finals.
“It is good to start out the World Check Championship with a house sequence,” he stated.
“We all know the groups we’re up towards. We may have simply been within the finals if we had received the 2 Exams towards Australia and Pakistan final 12 months.
“We have learnt from our errors and we’re effectively ready for the primary Check.”
Sri Lanka are placing out virtually the identical aspect that beat Eire 2-Zero in a two-match sequence in April, the one change being Kasun Rajitha changing Asitha Fernando.
Karunaratne stated it was essential that the openers negotiate Shaheen’s overs.
“As soon as the ball will get outdated and with the wind he can reverse the ball as effectively,” he stated.
“In the event you have a look at the Pakistan aspect they’re effectively outfitted in all departments,” he added.
“Each groups are assured however we’re taking a look at profitable each session and dominating the match.”
“Actually excited to be again in red-ball format and all eyes are on the Galle Check as we’re ready and prepared for the problem,” Azam instructed reporters on Saturday.
The batsman is the one cricketer on this planet ranked within the prime three in all three codecs — third in Exams, first in ODIs and second in T20 internationals.
However his aspect’s kind is a marked distinction: they’ve received none of their final six Exams, and final 12 months’s Galle fixture was their solely long-format victory for the reason that begin of 2022.
“We’re taking one step at a time, however we have now to be constant throughout all codecs,” Azam stated.
“One of many positives going into the Galle Check is that 13 of our gamers have been right here 12 months in the past.”
The 2-match sequence marks the beginning of their ICC World Check Championship 2023-25 participation, and Azam was delighted to have Shaheen Shah Afridi again within the aspect.
The quick bowler is sitting on 99 Check wickets and can intention to turn out to be the fourth-fastest Pakistan fast to finish a century of wickets.
He has been ready to achieve the mark for a 12 months, after being injured on the similar Galle floor.
“In addition to his wicket-taking skills, his presence at all times motivates and lifts the aspect. I do know Shaheen has badly missed red-ball cricket and is hungry for Check cricket,” the captain added.
Pakistan will make full use of newly appointed staff director Mickey Arthur — a former Sri Lanka coach — as a supply of details about the opposition.
“Like all host nation, Sri Lanka will wish to play to their energy, which is spin bowling,” stated Azam.
“We’ve had good suggestions concerning the Sri Lanka aspect from their former coach and I feel we’re effectively ready to take them on.”
Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne stated his essential intention was to win all the house matches within the ICC World Check Championship and some away from house, to make sure they’ve an opportunity of qualifying for the finals.
“It is good to start out the World Check Championship with a house sequence,” he stated.
“We all know the groups we’re up towards. We may have simply been within the finals if we had received the 2 Exams towards Australia and Pakistan final 12 months.
“We have learnt from our errors and we’re effectively ready for the primary Check.”
Sri Lanka are placing out virtually the identical aspect that beat Eire 2-Zero in a two-match sequence in April, the one change being Kasun Rajitha changing Asitha Fernando.
Karunaratne stated it was essential that the openers negotiate Shaheen’s overs.
“As soon as the ball will get outdated and with the wind he can reverse the ball as effectively,” he stated.
“In the event you have a look at the Pakistan aspect they’re effectively outfitted in all departments,” he added.
“Each groups are assured however we’re taking a look at profitable each session and dominating the match.”
