Aqib Javed backs Pakistan pacers to deliver win against Sri Lanka

World Cup winning fast-bowler believes reverse swing can play a major role in outcome of first Test

MUZAFFARABAD: Sarfraz Ahmed will lead Pakistan into his first match as captain against Sri Lanka on Thursday in Abu Dhabi and former fast-bowler Aqib Javed believes the bowlers need to step up if the wicketkeeper-batsman is to register a debut win.

The World Cup winner said he believes Pakistan are much stronger than their opponents.  “The Sri Lanka team right now is almost a new team and has a lot of young players; they don’t have the legendary veterans that they once boasted,” he said, while talking to The Express Tribune. “Pakistan have a lot of good fast-bowlers and spinners who will prove to be beneficial for the new skipper.”

And he believes this bowling arsenal will come to the fore. “Pakistan will have to restrict the Sri Lankans on a low total and get some early wickets to win,” he said. “Sarfraz will have to use his bowlers smartly though.”

It was no surprise the former pacer picked out fellow fast-bowlers as his key players. “The bowlers who can get the ball to reverse swing will have an edge, while the spinners can also do the damage,” he said. “Muhammad Amir is a good reverse swing bowler while Hasan Ali has also been bowling some good reverse swings lately. Wahab too can do so.”

The batting line-up is Pakistan’s biggest worry — shorn of the legendary Misbahul Haq and Younus Khan. “Someone has to fill the empty space left behind by Misbah and Younus,” he said.
“The likes of Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Usman Sallahuddin and Azhar Ali will have to step up to the plate.”

He also feels familiar UAE conditions will help Pakistan. “The Pakistani players have been playing there for a while now and are well accustomed to the conditions,” he said. “They have also been training there, which would have given them some added confidence. It is now time for them to do well in this series and begin this new era on a positive note.”

Aqib is confident about the hosts’ performance in the series, pointing towards the recently triumphant Champions Trophy campaign that saw Pakistan claim win the trophy for the first time in their history.

“All eyes are on the Pakistan players and expectations have been set very high considering their last outing was in the Champions Trophy,” he said. “This can put some pressure on the players, especially on the individuals, so they will have to deal with that smartly and concentrate on the task at hand.”