Here’s Why Pakistan’s Middle Order Needs a Major Revamp Before the Series Against Sri Lanka

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Misbah-ul-Haq with Younis Khan
Misbah-ul-Haq with Younis Khan

Sri Lanka yesterday announced a 15 member squad for the Test series against Pakistan that starts on the 28th of this month. Here is a look at top three things Pakistan will look to do with its middle order during the series.

3. Fill the Vacant Positions

This is Pakistan’s first Test series following the retirement of Misbah and Younis and therefore, Pakistan has little choice but to re-build and fill vacant positions in the middle order. Luckily for them, Sri Lanka too is in the re-building phase and has been struggling big time for the last few months.

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Pakistan hence, will look to utilize the series in an intelligently and settle down the middle order in a way that allows the unit to compete well when it visits tougher opponents next year.

2. Adjust an All-Rounder

Pakistan for long has had problems adjusting a fifth bowler in the final eleven owing to which Misbah kept over working Yasir Shah during the previous season. The fact eventually had an adverse effect on leg-spinners performance who returned with disappointing figures on more than one occasion.

It is therefore, important for the selectors to now bring in a spin bowling all-rounder in the middle order who is capable of providing support to Yasir and whose inclusion provides the much needed balance to the playing eleven.

1. Bring in a Left Hander

Pakistan for a pretty long period of time now has not had a left hander batting in the middle. With Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq there was no room to experiment any way and thus, Pakistan’s think tank decided to stick with the best available options.

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However, with Misbah and Younis gone Pakistan is likely to change things a little and add diversity to its batting line up by bringing in a left handed batsman.

Fawad Alam or Harris Sohail therefore, should remain hopeful of a comeback to Test cricket.