| |||
Related Links Players/Officials: Umar Gul | Wahab Riaz Series/Tournaments: Sri Lanka tour of United Arab Emirates Teams: Pakistan | |||
Pakistan may shift their focus back to experience to take on Sri Lanka in the home series in the United Arab Emirates, according to chief selector Mohsin Khan. Khan hinted the bowling attack was likely to be strengthened after testing new players against Zimbabwe.
"We can't just go out [to play Sri Lanka] with the similar combination as it [ the Zimbabwe tour] was just a test for our back-up lot for future prospects," Khan, told ESPNcricinfo. "Indeed it was a successful experimentation but at the same time we are wary of the opposition as Sri Lanka are a tough side to play.
"[Finding talent] is an ongoing process and the emphasis is currently on finding players with good fielding ability."
The Pakistan squad for the recent series against Zimbabwe was an experimental one, with the bowling attack in particular featuring several new names and missing some senior players.
Seasoned fast-bowlers Umar Gul, Tanvir Ahmed and Wahab Riaz, who have been Pakistan's three premier bowlers in recent times, were rested, with Sohail Khan, Sohail Tanvir, Aizaz Cheema and Junaid Khan making up the pace attack.
There were changes in the spin department as well: left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman was rested while legspinner Yasir Shah was called up.
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan also said the bowling combination needed some changes before the series.
"Senior players have their own importance and we have to go with the [them] when playing Sri Lanka," Misbah told reporters on the sidelines of ongoing Twenty20 Championship in Karachi. "The major goal was to induct youngsters in the side [for the Zimbabwe series] to have a tested lot in the back-up, since we are in the transition process.
