Kusal Mendis backs Sri Lanka batting ahead of Pakistan Test
Sri Lanka Test captain Kusal Mendis says his experienced batters are ready for Pakistan conditions in Rawalpindi.
Kusal Mendis, Sri Lanka's Test captain, has backed his experienced batting line-up ahead of the opening Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi. He cited strong recent overseas batting performances and said the squad is comfortable in Pakistan.
Key takeaways
- Kusal Mendis is Sri Lanka's Test captain for the two-Test series against Pakistan.
- He said he has no doubt about his batting line-up ahead of the opening Test in Rawalpindi.
- He pointed to strong batting in England last summer as evidence of the team's ability on green wickets.
- Mendis took over as Test captain from Dhananjaya de Silva in early October.
- Sri Lanka has been in Pakistan for more than a month.
Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis has backed his experienced batting line-up to handle Pakistan's expected pace-friendly conditions ahead of the opening Test of the two-Test series in Rawalpindi.
Mendis, who took over as Test captain from Dhananjaya de Silva in early October, said he has no doubt in his batting line-up and pointed to senior players Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva and himself as proof of the squad's depth.
"Everyone knows how to play on a green wicket. We played really well in England also, so I have no doubt in my batting line-up," Mendis said.
Context and squad balance
Mendis said Test cricket presented a different challenge from one-day and T20 cricket, and admitted he was particularly pleased to lead Sri Lanka in the longest format. He said the visitors had been in Pakistan for more than a month.
He praised the Pakistan Cricket Board for its arrangements, saying security-wise everybody was very happy and that the familiar spicy cuisine made the stay comfortable.
Mendis also expressed confidence in his bowling attack, saying the team's recent performances on overseas tours had strengthened his belief in the unit.
He said Sri Lanka had done really well with the ball on recent overseas tours and that the same applied to one-day cricket, adding that the fast-bowling attack had been doing very well.
What happens next
The opening Test against Pakistan begins in Rawalpindi. The sources do not give a start date, venue time or broadcast details, so those cannot be stated.
By the numbers
Sixteen first-class matches before national-team debut, according to Wikipedia. One ODI batsman of the year award, for 2016–17, in November 2017. More than one month spent in Pakistan by the squad, according to The Tribune. Two Tests in the series against Pakistan, according to The Hans India.
Sri Lanka squad members named by Mendis
Role | Player |
|---|---|
Captain | Kusal Mendis |
Senior batter | Dinesh Chandimal |
Senior batter | Dhananjaya de Silva |
Fast bowler | Asitha Fernando |
Fast bowler | Lahiru Kumara |
Spinner | Prabath Jayasuriya |
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