Written by: Mirza Salam Ahmed
Posted on: December 13, 2019 | 
Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka Test Series
After a decade of being in exile from international test cricket, Pakistan has welcomed the Sri Lankan cricket team to their fields for its first test match in Rawalpindi/Islamabad. The Pakistan Cricket Team lost six matches in a row in a run that stretches back to December 2018. Our Shaheens are on a mission of redemption but the odds are tough.
For many, the question is how did we get here? Pakistan’s peak of domination in the test cricket world under former captain Misbah-ul-Haq, seems like a distant memory now. One can blame the lack of cricket events at home, especially test cricket, as the main reason for this poor form. Pakistan has been forced to play their home matches on neutral grounds in the United Arab Emirates. This time, they return home to face off Sri Lanka’s team, which has not been to Pakistan since 2009.
(L) Pakistan Cricket Team and (R) Sri Lankan Cricket Team
The Pakistan cricket team comprises of captain Azhar Ali, followed by Shaan Masood, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Asad Shafiq, Mohammed Rizwan (wicket keeper), with Usman Shinwari, Shaheen Afridi and Mohammed Abbas and Naseem Shah. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan team comprises of captain Dimuth Karunaratne, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Matthews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella (wicket keeper), Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara.
A daunting reason for poor test performance is the lack of coaching by senior players. Test cricket is dying, and other formats such as One-Day Internationals and Twenty20 are gaining popularity. In the Indian subcontinent, test cricket is usually played at first-class and professional levels, and that too is a rare sight. Therefore, players usually acquire maturity in test cricket, once they enter the field under the guidance of more senior and more seasoned players.
The batsmen’s poor shot selection and abysmal field settings, have been consistently criticized. Surprisingly, its Pakistan’s bowling attack, which has been a source of pride in the team’s history, that came under scrutiny by none other than former captain, Inzamam-ul-Haq. Inzamam said that the bowlers in the national team “don’t have any idea as to how to take wickets in the longer format of the game”.
Inzamam’s comments came as Sri Lanka ended day one of the first test match on a surprising score of 202/5. The Sri Lankan team lost wickets at regular intervals after their skipper Dimuth Karunaratne and his opening partner Oshada Fernando, tirelessly built up 96-run partnership.
Shaheen Afridi (photo credits to Dawn)
Inzamam’s stinging statement was most likely not directed at the bowlers’ recent performance, but more so towards their embarrassing form in Australia. The Shaheens were stricken by a humiliating 2-0 Test series defeat to Australia the last time around, where they failed to make the Kangaroos bat twice in either Test.
Furthermore, the retirements of pacers Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz, as well as the persistent injuries to paceman Hasan Ali, have been damaging to the team. Traditionally, batting has been the Achilles’ heel for Pakistani cricket team and although they managed to stabilize it to an extent, their former woes are back to haunt them again time time around. There is reason for concern in the middle order as well, for Babar Azam and Azhar Ali, the most dependable and experienced men in the side, may not be able to do as well in their new line up.
Rawalpindi Stadium and the Weather Conditions
The bigger picture is even harder to look at, as this regression in their test cricket form is the result of Pakistan losing 17 of their last 24 matches, which has seen them plunge from the top spot in the global rankings to the eighth spot. With such statistics in mind, the current test series will not only be an uphill battle for the Pakistan Cricket Team, but also an opportunity to redeem themselves.
For Day 2, Sri Lanka stands at 236/6 with 83.6 overs, before play was stopped by bad light and capricious weather. Fans hope that the weekend will provide lots of sun and luck on the Pakistani team’s side. Karunaratne so far stands with the highest score of 59 runs, but Pakistan’s new found talent, the speedy Naseem Shah, has scalped two wickets, and fan favorite Shaheen Afridi took the first.
Oshada Fernando (L) and Dimuth Karunaratne (R) (photo credits to Dawn)
For a live streaming of the match, click here.
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