Test Cricket Returning to Pakistan! Sri Lanka to tour Pakistan for a 2-Match Test Series in December

[IanG]

Glad that the return of international cricket to Pakistan went off without any problems. Apart from the weather of course.

 

[AsadRM]

Glad that the return of international cricket to Pakistan went off without any problems. Apart from the weather of course.

Yeah it was but I am afraid this is not gonna help a lot. Players were locked in their hotels and there were curfews on the roads when they passed. Pakistan was dangerous till 2017 but now it is quite safe in big cities like Lahore,Islamabad and Karachi. But, these steps give a big negative impression that Pakistan is in a state of war like Afghanistan,Syria etc.

It would have been great to see players roaming around in the old monuments and new shopping malls like they do in India or any other country. As the SLC chairman said that he got fed up staying in hotel. I am really excited for a possible Ireland visit in 2020 and England in 2022. That will really boost cricket here.

 

[Na Maloom Afraad]

Sri Lanka are likely to play the two aforementioned Test matches on the first post, in Pakistan.

All three formats were originally scheduled in December, but an empty window in September prompted the limited-over games to be shifted ahead in September.
The Test matches are going to be played in December, possibly leading into January of next year.

Karachi and surprisingly, Rawalpindi are the rumoured hosts for those two Test games.

Sri Lankan Cricket Board or Pakistan Cricket Board have not confirmed this officially, though.

 

[Na Maloom Afraad]

PCB proposes Rawalpindi and Karachi as venues for Sri Lanka Test series | ESPNCricinfo

 

[AsadRM]

Rawalpindi has been chosen as a venue due to the smog in Lahore.Another great thing would be that they would be staying in Islamabad's hotels and Islamabad is much safer than any other city so hopefully their reservations on getting locked in the room would be sorted.

According to a Sri Lankan journalist (Daniel Alexander) their senior players are also ready to travel.

 

[Na Maloom Afraad]

It's official.

Pakistan to host Sri Lanka for two-Test series in December | ESPNCricinfo

 

[Na Maloom Afraad]

So, apparently, Fawad Alam is expected to be included in the Test squad for the series against Sri Lanka at home. I think this is great for him personally, because to get the chance that almost everyone's been wanting for him to get against a team that's not full-strength at your own backyard should ease things for him. I hope he performs well in the series and ensures his spot in the upcoming matches.

On a separate note, with a century against Balochistan in today's first-class game, he has become the second highest run-scorer in the history of Quaid-E-Azam Trophy.

 

[Na Maloom Afraad]

 

[CerealKiller]

 

[hammadahmed88]

Yesss....but really though would anyone be in the least surprised if they just make him ride the bench and he doesn't get a game?

 

[NILAYSHAH60]

I don't see how Fawad Alam's inclusion is beneficial to Pakistan Cricket Team because apparently he is going to play 3 years at the most. In ideal situation he would fade away in 6 months or so. At worst he won't even get a match. For once I can understand the Indian team wanting to have Dhoni back because he has established himself as a great of the game but what has Fawad Alam done ? Does scoring runs alone in domestic Cricket gives you privilege to play at the top level ? And if he is the best choice you have then just think about how worse PCB has been in scouting young talent.

 

[CerealKiller]

Yesss....but really though would anyone be in the least surprised if they just make him ride the bench and he doesn't get a game?

Same happened in 2015, and Misbah was captain. I fear Kashif Bhatti will play as a spin bowling all-rounder at 7, with Rizwan at 6., along with Yasir and 3 pacers.

 

[CerealKiller]

I don't see how Fawad Alam's inclusion is beneficial to Pakistan Cricket Team because apparently he is going to play 3 years at the most. In ideal situation he would fade away in 6 months or so. At worst he won't even get a match. For once I can understand the Indian team wanting to have Dhoni back because he has established himself as a great of the game but what has Fawad Alam done ? Does scoring runs alone in domestic Cricket gives you privilege to play at the top level ? And if he is the best choice you have then just think about how worse PCB has been in scouting young talent.

Dude, since his last match 10 years ago, he averages 58 in FC cricket. If he can deliver even if only for this cycle of the WTC, that'd be enough.

 

[NILAYSHAH60]

Dude, sice his last match 10 years ago, he averages 58 in FC cricket. If he can deliver even if only for this cycle of the WTC, that'd be enough.

And after that ? Is it going to solve the obvious issues in the Pakistani batting order ?

 

[CerealKiller]

And after that ? Is it going to solve the obvious issues in the Pakistani batting order ?

He could play for longer. Misbah and Younis retired at 40+. The point is, we won't know how he will do until he gets a shot.