Pakistan Tour Of Sri Lanka 2022: We Want To Play Positively Irrespective Of The Situation - Babar Azam

Pakistan captain Babar Azam said that his team will have to strike balance between playing proactive cricket and sticking to situations when they need to play defensive in nature in Test cricket.

Pakistan’s batting came under the flak after they found it difficult to score in quick succession against Australia in March in home conditions.

You can’t go for quick runs if the opposition is on top: Babar Azam

Pakistan are slotted in fourth place in the current World Test Championship cycle with three wins, two losses and two draw matches and a win percentage of 52.38%. Babar and his men will visit Sri Lanka this month to play a couple of Tests, which will be part of the ongoing WTC 2021-23 cycle.

“We are trying to change the way we play Test cricket. Not easy for batters when the other team is dominating you. We want to play positively irrespective of the situation but it is only on a given day that we can decide how to win the match and our strategy,” Babar said in a press conference ahead of the Sri Lanka tour.

“But you must remember that the beauty of Test cricket is about adapting according to the situation. You can’t go for quick runs if the opposition is on top,” he added. 

Every team is dangerous on their home turf: Babar Azam

Sri Lanka are currently playing Australia in the two-match Test series. The hosts lost the first Test in Galle by 10 wickets as the match culminated inside three days. Pakistan called back leg-spinner Yasir Shah in the 18-member Test squad to make the most out of the conditions in the island nation but Babar also backed his pace bowlers to dominate on the spin-friendly pitches.

“We have been following their recent tests also against Australia and you can see spinners are dominating. But we have also prepared as per their conditions and we have capable spinners in Yasir Shah, Nauman Ali, Nawaz to counter the conditions,” Babar said.

“I also have confidence in my fast bowlers, they will dominate also. Our batsmen have played there before they can adapt well. Every team is dangerous on their home turf. Sri Lanka are a young team they know their conditions well and they cannot be taken lightly,” the skipper pointed.

The Pakistan team will arrive in Sri Lanka on July 6 and will play a three-day warm-up game in Colombo, which will start on July 11. The two teams will kick off the first Test at the Galle International Stadium on July 16.

Also Read: Kamran Akmal Disappointed With Pakistan Selectors For Dropping Sajid Khan For Sri Lanka Test Series