LAHORE: Pakistan Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq and former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq were hopeful that Pakistan would beat Sri Lanka in the upcoming Test series in the Emerald Island, starting on June 17.

“Our team is in good form and this time we have a chance to beat Sri Lanka,” Misbah said on the sidelines of Muslim Gymkhana’s annual cricket match at the Bagh-e-Jinnah cricket ground on Wednesday.

Also present on the occasion were former captain Aamir Sohail and Pakistan’s current opener Ahmed Shehzad.

Misbah said the morale of the Test team was high after winning the last series against Bangladesh in Bangladesh and winning the ODI and T20 series at home against Zimbabwe.

To a question, Misbah said the team would certainly miss off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, who has not been selected in the Test team as he failed to prove his form after remodeling his bowling action.

Misbah said the tour of Sri Lanka was important.

Inzamam, however, said the tour of Sri Lan­ka was tough, but Pakistan had a chance to win.

“Pakistan are the favourites,” he said, adding that the players need to play with unity and not give up till the end.

Aamir Sohail said although the team was good in batting department, it lacked effectiveness in bowling. He added that a team should have a strong enough bowling attack to take 20 wickets in a Test.

Meanwhile, Ahmed Shehzad thanked God for staging a comeback in all the formats of the game.

Ahmed said he would try his best to repeat his last year’s performances.

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2015

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