Pakistan will miss Ajmal, says Sri Lanka coach

Published June 16, 2015
Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews (R) and coach Marvan Atapattu chat at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.—AFP
Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews (R) and coach Marvan Atapattu chat at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.—AFP

GALLE: Sri Lanka’s coach Marvan Atapattu has said Pakistan will miss spin spearhead Saeed Ajmal in the series.

The first Test between the two sides will start on Wednesday. The second Test will be played at the P. Sara Oval in Colombo from June 25 and the third in Pallekele from July 3.

The Tests will be followed by five One-day Internationals and two Twenty20 matches.

Ajmal has not been selected for the tour after struggling with a remodelled bowling action on the Bangladesh tour last month.

GALLE: Pakistan paceman Junaid Khan bowls in a nets session on Monday.—AFP
GALLE: Pakistan paceman Junaid Khan bowls in a nets session on Monday.—AFP

“Ajmal at his peak gave a lot of batsmen sleepless nights,” Atapattu told the Colombo-based Nation newspaper.

“Now that he is not there gives us a psychological advantage.

“I believe Pakistan have got bowlers who could win games, but they have not done it yet. But we’ve still got to respect the good ball and put away the bad ones.”

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq said, “It is always interesting to play Sri Lanka because both sides know each other’s game well,” said Misbah.

“Pakistan has done well in Tests recently and that has given us a lot of confidence.”

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.