Pakistan arrive in SL with Misbah eyeing victory

COLOMBO: Pakistan’s 15-man squad arrived in Colombo Tuesday with Test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq announcing that his boys will go all out for victory against Sri Lanka.

Pakistan will play three Tests, five One-day Internationals and two twenty20 games against the hosts.

The three Test series will get underway on June 17 at Galle and will conclude on July 7.

The remaining two Tests will be in Colombo from June 25 to 29 and the third at Pallekele from July 3-7.

The five match ODI series will begin on July 11 with the series concluding with two twenty20 matches.

“Our players are in good form and I believe that we stand a good chance of winning in Sri Lanka,” Misbah said ahead of the tour.

Misbah believes that his players were confident after winning the two Test series against Bangladesh as well as the limited overs matches at home against Zimbabwe last month.

Pakistan will be without ace off spinner Saeed Ajmal who was overlooked by national selectors because of his indifferent form since making a comeback to international cricket.

Misbah admitted that Pakistan will miss Ajmal’s services but was quick to add that he has enough firepower in his bowling arsenal to give Sri Lanka a run for their money.

Pakistan’s squad includes enigmatic opener Ahmed Shehzad who was recalled for the three match Test series in Sri Lanka after being sidelined over disciplinary problems.

He was not selected for the two Test and three match one-day series in Bangladesh last month only making the side for the one off Twenty20 international.

The action came after the team management complained of his lack of discipline and attitude in the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand where Pakistan went out in the quarter final.

After the three match Test series the two sides will play five one dayers and two Twenty20 Internationals for which the selectors will announce the squads later. (PPI)