Chance for Pakistan to test young legs against Sri Lanka: Ramiz Raja

Pakistan are set to start a new era without Misbah Ul Haq and Younis Khan, two greats of their time who recently retired in May. Since then, Pakistan have had a great time in the ODIs which culminated into a maiden ICC Champions Trophy triumph in June. Test cricket will be a different ball game altogether, though they will be up against a depleted Sri Lankan side.

It will also be a litmus test for Sarfaraz, who will lead Pakistan for the first time in Test cricket. He has had a fantastic few months in the limited overs format but it remains to be seen how he copes with the demands of the longest form. Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja opined that Pakistan must play aggressively against an under-confident Sri Lanka side who recently were whitewashed across formats by India at home and also lost a home series against Zimbabwe.

Ramiz wants Pakistan to play aggressively

“Sri Lanka is going through a bad patch. They were defeated by Zimbabwe at home and wrecked by India in a recent series,” Raja commented in a conversation with APP.

Raja, however, warned Pakistan not to be complacent as they still have to pick 20 wickets to win a Test. “Pakistan must not be complacent either; (players) need to work hard like they do against any other team to get twenty wickets in a match,” Raja elaborated.

Raja heaped praises on Sarfaraz Ahmed but stated that he will have to keep learning the art of leadership in the oldest form of cricket. The cricketer-turned-commentator advised the wicket-keeper batsman to take the game session by session.

“Test cricket is different from limited-overs type (wherein) you have a set formula to use your players. On the other hand, in Test cricket, you need to go session-by-session and there are often periods where you just need to stay calm,” Raja noted.

“Sarfraz has redefined Pakistan in limited-overs cricket and helped it look in good shape. I hope he will, with time, bring the same to Pakistan’s Test cricket,” he said.

Offering words of support, the former skipper added, “All he needs is to remain positive and lead his team with an aggressive approach.”

Replacements of Misbah-Younis won’t happen overnight

The departure of Misbah and Younis has left a big void to be filled in the middle order. Raja said that Pakistan must recognize players who can bide time in the middle and are prepared to go under the grind if the need be. The transition will not happen “overnight” but adequate measures must be taken to ensure a smooth transition.

“Players, who are technically good and can stay on the wicket, should be identified and then prepared as the replacement of the duo,” Raja concluded.

The first Test will kick off on September 28 at the Shiekh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, UAE.