Pakistan, Sri Lanka resume bout without heavyweights

ESPNCricinfo: Pakistan step forth here, for the first time, without Misbah-Ul-Haq and Younis Khan. No team better knows the challenge of replacing a pair of juggernaut batsmen better than Sri Lanka. And if Sri Lanka’s plight over the last three years is anything to go by, it is not merely on the field that Pakistan will have to contend with their absence. Like Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, Misbah and Younis were each more institution than individual - virtually comprising a two-man finishing school for young players. New entrants into the Pakistan side are likely to keenly feel the absence of that support, as many Sri Lanka batsmen clearly have.

There is no doubt that Pakistan are favourites here. Not only are they playing at familiar venues, but they are also, on paper, the stronger side. More crucially, and despite the contentions of their interim coach, Sri Lanka’s morale has taken an almighty pounding in 2017. Never in this century have Sri Lanka’s public been so disgruntled by their cricket team.

No bona fide batting greats remain in either team, but in 22-year-olds Kusal Mendis and Babar Azam, two potential stars are honing their considerable talents in the top order.

Dinesh Chandimal has officially led Sri Lanka in three Tests, but like for Sarfraz Ahmed this will be the first full series in which he will be in charge (Chandimal had missed a Test of the India series with pneumonia, and the Zimbabwe Test was a one-off). Sarfraz has quite the act to follow, taking over from Pakistan’s most successful captain, but has the more settled and penetrative attack to marshal, and has already earned some goodwill as a leader via the Champions Trophy triumph. Chandimal’s plight is a little more problematic. Not only has he overseen two demoralising defeats recently, he is also missing his best batsman - Angelo Mathews, and another potential matchwinner in Asela Gunaratne.

But regardless of what state the teams had entered previous series, contests between these two sides have rarely failed to be compelling. Sri Lanka desperately need a lift, Pakistan require a gentle transition. With any luck, they will be well-matched again.