| MUMBAI:
Test cricket returns for Pakistan as they get set to play a three match Mobitel
Test and five-match One-day International series away in Sri Lanka. The first
Test starts in the picturesque beach town of Galle on the 4th of July.
Pakistan is
on a return tour of the Emerald nation just four months after the second Test
match was abandoned in Lahore in March 2009 because of the terrorist attack on
the Sri Lankan team. The first Test had ended in a draw. Pakistan
are high on confidence with more than half the team comprising of the 2009 Twenty20
World Cup winning combination. Pakistan have been bolstered by the return of prolific
batsman Mohammad Yousuf after he left the Indian Cricket League. According to
Captain Younis Khan, “The Sri Lanka tour will be a big challenge. We will
have to leave our World Cup win behind and focus on what is a very tough assignment.”
Sri Lanka meet
Pakistan less than a fortnight after losing the Twenty20 World Cup final to Pakistan.
They will be led for the first time in Tests by Kumara Sangakkara who has been
in superlative form in the last one year. Sri Lanka are at present ranked fourth
in the ICC Cricket ratings and Pakistan lie seventh having played fewer matches
than the Lankans. It’s
going to be a grand battle between spin soldiers on both sides. Pakistan have
included off spinner Saeed Ajmal and leg spinner Danish Kaneria in the squad.
Sri Lanka have world record holder Muthiah Murailtharan and the ever versatile
Ajantha Mendis in their ranks. The
second Mobitel Test starts on the 12th of July in Colombo while the third one
begins on the 20th of July at the same venue. Ten
Sports will have well known cricket personalities as part of the commentary team
for the series. Legendary fast bowler Waqar Younis will be leading the commentary
with former teammate Rameez Raja. Sri Lanka will be represented by former cricketers
Ranjit Fernando and Ranil Abeynaike. Prolific commentator and former Australian
first class cricketer Mike Haysman will anchor the pre and post match show ‘Straight
Drive’. So
get ready for some explosive action only on Ten Sports as cricket returns to the
sub continent. | 