ABU DHABI: Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur is upbeat about coming up with a good show in the series against Sri Lanka starting here later this week.

The full series comprising two Tests, five ODIs and three T20 Internationals begin with the first Test here on Thursday.

This Test would be the first Test for Pakistan after the retirement of veterans Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan.

Talking to a private TV network, Arthur said the Pakistan team were all set to embark on a new era now. With their senior players retired, Arthur looked excited for the upcoming challenges.

He however also mentioned that it will not be easy tackling Sri Lanka. He is in no mood to take them lightly.

“A new era is about to begin for [Pakistan cricket] after Misbah and Younis. Sri Lanka won’t be an easy opponent,” Arthur was quoted as saying.

Over the last few years, leg-spinner Yasir Shah has been the prime bowler for Pakistan in the game’s longest format. In recent times though, there have been concerns over his fitness. Speaking about the same, Arthur said Yasir was fully fit and was bowling well in the nets.

“Yasir has been bowling with [full rhythm] in the nets, we have no fitness problems so far,” said the Pakistan head coach.

There are five uncapped players named in the Pakistan Test squad including young pace bowler Mir Hamza, all-rounder Bilal Asif, left-arm spinner Mohammad Asghar and batsmen Haris Sohail and Usman Salahuddin have been picked for the Sri Lanka Tests.

Arthur said one or two of these uncapped players could be given a chance in the first Test.

Published in Dawn, September 26th, 2017