Home ›› 15 Jul 2022 ›› Sport
Sri Lanka named an 18-member squad for the two matches Thursday with Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Jeffrey Vandersay and Asitha Fernando back in the team after recovering from Covid.
The visitors, led by Babar Azam, have bolstered their spin attack by giving veteran leg-spinner Yasir Shah a comeback into the Test team.
Babar himself has been in roaring form with the bat and recently hit 196 against Australia in the team’s home series, which they ended up losing 1-0 in March.
Openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq have also been among the runs and Sohail insists the batting is not a one-man army.
“Last series Imam-ul-Haq was very consistent, Abdullah Shafique showed his ability. There is Rizwan and he has responded well and there is Azhar Ali,” said Sohail.
“So I will not say there is over reliance (on Babar), but because Babar has become such a big name, the expectations have grown bigger that he does something special in every match.”
Karunaratne admitted Pakistan will be tougher opposition than Australia in the two Tests but believes playing in Galle for the third straight time will be an advantage for the hosts.
“Pakistan is a strong side. (But) playing three games in Galle is good for a team. We know how conditions are in the last few games,” said Karunaratne.
“Pakistan don’t have that opportunity. Big advantage for us. We need to turn that in our favour.”
Sri Lanka squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Prabath Jayasuriya, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay
