With the new regime led by Misbah-ul-Haq in charge of the Pakistan cricket team, its first assignment will come in shape of the Sri Lankan cricket team that will tour the country from the 27th of September to the 9th of October. Three T20Is will be played in Karachi, followed by three ODIs in Lahore.
It was 10 years ago that the horrific terror attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team had not only left the sporting world jolted, but also took international cricket away from Pakistan. International cricket has gradually made a return to the country since Zimbabwe’s tour in 2015.
Two years ago, Sri Lanka themselves played a T20I in Lahore as well. Now they will play two complete T20I and ODI series, before contesting the Test series in the UAE in December.
The visiting Sri Lanka side, one that has been marred by high-profile pullouts of senior players refusing to tour Pakistan owing to security concerns, will present the first assignment to a Pakistani side that is initiating a new transition.
Even though much like the international contests hosted in Pakistan since 2015, the bigger picture of the tour will be about the country hosting such series again, there is indeed a lot at stake for Pakistan on the field as well.
For starters, even a full-strength Sri Lanka side has been on the downward spiral over the past couple of years. The one that would tour Pakistan would definitely be lower down the pecking order. Hence, Pakistan would be the overwhelming favourites to win.
While Pakistan has done well facing such pressure against unheralded sides especially in their own backyard – actual or make-do – this time around there would be the additional pressure of the new regime, with virtually everyone being asked to prove themselves on the field.
In that regard two important decisions – his first as the coach-selector of Pakistan cricket team – were taken by Misbah-ul-Haq last week. The first was the selection of the captain, and the second was naming the provisional squad for the Sri Lanka tour.
Abid Ali, 249 not out
Sarfaraz Ahmed has been retained as the captain, at least for the limited-overs sides. While the wicketkeeper batsman himself was lauded by Misbah during the announcement, it was implicit in the decision that there really was no one else who could take his place. While that may be true as far as Sarfaraz’s captaincy is concerned, it is his contributions as a player that have been regularly questioned.
Fittingly, Misbah pointed out that he can get the most out of Sarfaraz. Both Misbah and Sarfaraz were quick to point out that they enjoyed a great rapport when the latter was playing under the captaincy of the former, and in fact it was under Misbah that Sarfaraz gave his best batting performances.
The next major announcement was of the 20 probables for the Sri Lanka tour.
Probables Announced: Sarfaraz Ahmed (captain), Babar Azam (vice-captain), Abid Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Ahmed Shehzad, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Muhammad Aamir, Muhammad Hasnain, Muhammad Nawaz, Muhammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Umar Akmal, Usman Shinwari and Wahab Riaz.
While Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik aren’t included owing to their participation in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), for which they have been given an NOC till October 12, one would hope that fresher blood is preferred over them in the future.
The “fresh” here isn’t owing to their age or the number of years they’ve played, it’s basically a plea for newer skillsets to take Pakistan forward. Because, of course, Misbah himself is the greatest example of how age shouldn’t be the greatest factor in selection.
The 20-man probables announced is basically a list of players who have been in and around the selection radar in recent times. Prominent comebacks include Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal.
It is clear that at the start of his term Misbah is sending a message that everyone will be under consideration as long as they have something positive to contribute to Pakistan cricket.
One thing he won’t compromise on, of course, is discipline. And that’s something that can be guaranteed as Pakistan cricket enters its newest, hopefully progressive, phase.
