Pakistan captain Babar Azam hopes an overhauled side can make a fresh start when they take on Sri Lanka in the first Test beginning in Rawalpindi on Monday, following their disastrous tour of England. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were also removed as part of a restructuring in September, with white-ball coach Mike Hesson joining the Test set-up. Of the seven players who were sent home during the England tour, only Salman Ali Agha and Aamer Jamal have returned to the squad. Five members of the XI that played the final Test at Edgbaston have also been left out.
The two-match series will be Pakistan’s first assignment since a 3-0 whitewash in England, where seven players were sent home after the second Test.
Senior wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, former captain Shan Masood, and spin duo Sajid Khan and Noman Ali are among the notable omissions. “I have played a few domestic matches and think that the more I play, the better I will become.
“During the England series, we had planned to give new players an opportunity, so I am ready to fight with these young players,” Azam said on Sunday. So I am confident,” said Azam, who was reappointed captain in July.
The series forms part of the World Test Championship cycle, with Pakistan currently placed ninth and Sri Lanka seventh in the standings. The second Test is scheduled to begin in Lahore on November 17.
“It’s exciting and I am happy to lead the side,” Mendis said.
