Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq is confident of his batsmen putting up a better show against Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath in the three-match Test series beginning at Galle on Wednesday.
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No bowler has tormented Pakistan as much as left-armer Herath in recent times. The portly bowler has been key to Sri Lanka’s seven Test victories in last 17 meetings against Pakistan by claiming 88 wickets, 53 of those scalps coming in nine matches at home.
When Pakistan last visited the island nation for a two-match series last August, Herath was at the forefront with 23 wickets as Sri Lanka sealed a 2-0 win.
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I can’t wait to see how the Pakistani batsmen are planning to play #Herath #SLvPAK Rain expected everyday sadly
— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) June 16, 2015
Pakistan have not won a Test in Sri Lanka since 2006 but Misbah feels it can change this time.
“We have an answer for Herath this time as everybody is working hard on how to defend him,” Misbah said yesterday. “The more we play him well, more we have a chance to do better against him.”
Pakistan too possess an effective duo in leg-spinner Yasir Shah and left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar, who have stepped up in the absence of Saeed Ajmal.
Since the leading off-spinner’s suspension and struggles with his remodelled action, Shah and Babar have combined to claim 73 wickets in seven Tests.
With one-half of Sri Lanka’s legendary batting pair, Mahela Jayawardene, retired and the other, Kumar Sangakkara, on the verge of calling it quits, Pakistan’s slow bowlers will be fancying their chances.
“It’s very important for us to deal with spin on this tour to make the best result. Taking 20 wickets here is also one concern for us and we are working in this area to do something different this time,” Misbah told ESPNcricinfo.
