Pakistan won’t have it easy in SL -Whatmore
Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore on Wednesday warned his players they
faced a battle on next month's tour of Sri Lanka, saying the hosts were
tough opponents in home conditions.
The Australian backed the six uncapped players picked across
Pakistan's Test, one-day and Twenty20 squads to make an impact on the
tour, which starts with a Twenty20 international in Hambantota on June
1.
Pakistan began a short training camp in Lahore on Wednesday ahead of
the tour, where they play two Twenty20, five one-days and three Tests.
“We are lucky we are doing a bit of work in the heat,” Whatmore told
reporters. “I think we are doing enough to prepare ourselves properly
for pretty strong opposition in their home country.” Pakistan, whose
Test side is ranked fifth in the world against Sri Lanka's sixth, broke
with tradition by selecting separate squads for the three different
formats, new to their system but backed by Whatmore.
“I am very agreeable to see that players are beginning to be selected
in formats that are suitable to them,” said Whatmore, who offered no
comment on Mohammad Hafeez replacing Misbah-ul Haq as Twenty20 captain.
Whatmore guided Sri Lanka to World Cup triumph in 1996 and took over
as Pakistan coach in March, leading his charges to victory in the Asia
Cup in Bangladesh.
“There are a few new players in the squad and that's a good thing
because you know I think keeping exactly the same personnel you are
marching on the spot,” said the former Australian batsman.
Pakistan have picked uncapped Shakil Ansar, Haris Sohail, Raza Hasan,
Rahat Ali, Ayub Dogar and Afaq Raheem in their three squads. AFP |