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Mickey Arthur (Credits: Twitter)

The skipper of Sri Lanka Dimuth Karunaratne feels the presence of Mickey Arthur in Sri Lanka camp for a couple of Test matches against Pakistan is going to be a massive advantage for them. As Mickey Arthur is aware of the Pakistan Cricket system, Karunaratne feels Arthur will help them to deliver the goods during the 2-match Test series.

Mickey Arthur, who was appointed the head coach of Sri Lanka last week, held the same position in Pakistan from 2016 to the end of this year’s ODI World Cup in July. He got a fair bit of knowledge regarding the conditions in Pakistan and also knew a few weaknesses of the opposition batsmen.

Dimuth Karunaratne, Mickey Arthur, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2019
Dimuth Karunaratne (Credits: Getty Images)

We have to apply ourselves – Dimuth Karunaratne

Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne, who got a strong side at his disposal in Pakistan, feels it is a great pleasure to play a part in the revival of Test cricket in Pakistan. Further, Dimuth Karunaratne stated that they need to execute the plans properly to make things fall in place.

“Mickey is with us, and previously he was the coach of the Pakistan team as well, so it is a positive thing for us that he knows the Pakistan team very closely and that has given us a lot of confidence for this series,” Karunaratne said on the eve of the match.

Dimuth Karunaratne, Mickey Arthur, Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 2019
Sri Lanka Cricket Team. Credit: Getty Images

”His presence is a big advantage to us as he knows each and every player very closely. How they think. How they prepare. But we have to do things right in the middle and implement our plans properly. Our bowlers have to bowl in the right areas to every batsman and we have to also apply ourselves in batting and fielding. Pakistan has never been an easy side to beat at home,” Dimuth Karunaratne said to the reporters.

Recently, Sri Lanka toured Pakistan for a white-ball series. As many as ten of their premier players had opted out, but the experienced Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal are in the ranks now, and the only major player missing is Suranga Lakmal, who is unwell.

Read More – Suranga Lakmal ruled out of Test Series

The first Test of the series will be played on December 11th in Rawalpindi, which will also open the curtains for Test cricket revival in Pakistan. No team has played Test cricket in Pakistan ever since the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in 2009 with the Pakistan Cricket Board hosting teams in neutral venues.

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