Younis set to make debut, doubts over Saeed's fitness

Rawalpindi, Feb 25: Middle-order batsman Younis Khan is set to make his debut in the first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka starting at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium here from Saturday.

Younis, who made his one-day debut at Karachi, comes into the squad after scoring over 1,100 runs in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy with five centuries including two double centuries.

But While Younis's place is more than secure, there were fitness doubts over skipper Saeed Anwar. A stiff neck and shoulder problems has restricted the left-hander from participating in the practice sessions for the last three days.

Nevertheless, the skipper played down his fitness problems ensuring that he would lead the team in the three-Test series opener.

"I have taken medication and gone through physiotherapy during the last 48 hours," Saeed said on the eve of the Test.

Commenting on the team combination, Saeed said that a hard wicket has been chosen for the game which should suit their strength of pace bowling. "Hopefully the bowlers will take the lead and the batsmen will follow pursuit to take lead."

However, the Pakistan team faces selection dilemma. The Management was still discussing whether to go in with a combination of five batsmen and five bowlers or six batsmen and four bowlers combination.

With Younis Khan set to make debut and Saeed Anwar being the captain, the tie for the remaining three places is between Inzamam-ul-Haq, Aamir Sohail, Yousuf Youhana and Wajahatullah Wasti.

However, if The Management decides to play safe and include six batsmen, the contest for the four bowlers comes down to Wasim Akram, Mohammad Akram, Waqar Younis, Abdur Razzak and Saqlain Mushtaq.

Team sources, however, said Pakistan were likely to field six batters and decide whether to play Abdur Razzaq or Mohammad Akram. Nevertheless, they stressed that the playing lineup would be finalized shortly before the toss after having a final look at the wicket.

Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam would prefer experience over youth in the combination for the opening Test. With a 3-0 loss in the one-day series still in the back of their mind, the team management has pinned its hopes on old war horses to give them initial advantage in the series.

The toss appears extremely crucial. If Saeed Anwar beats Sanath Jayasuriya on the spin of coin, he will, in all probability, opt to bat knowing the difficulties of playing the fourth innings especially in the presence of seasoned off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan in the Sri Lankan ranks.

But despite all, Pakistan will look upon its strength in pace bowling while hoping that the batting will come off good after a series off poor performances.

While Pakistan face a series of problems, the Sri Lankans are basking is confidence after defeating Australia in the weather-marred series at home and then defeating Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe. On this tour, they have hardly done anything wrong.

Their squad has also been bolstered with the inclusion of veteran stalwarts Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva which gives their middle-order a more formidable look. Marvan Atapattu has showed his class and form in the one-day series while Mahela Jayawardena is another dependable and free-stroke player.

The foursome follow after the left-hand opening combination of skipper Sanath Jayasuriya and Russel Arnold.

The tourists are expected to play four bowlers -pacers Chaminda Vaas, Pramodya Wickremasinghe and Nuwan Zoysa - while Muralitharan will be the lone spinner.

When Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in Pakistan on the 1995-96 tour, Vaas and Muralitharan had shared 28 wickets between them.

Sri Lankan coach Dave Whatmore said his team's morale was sky-high after success in the one-day series. "The same will be the objective in the Test series."

He recalled that the present situation was identical about eight months back when they played Australia at home. "We first defeated Australia in the three-nation final and then triumphed in the Kandy Test," he said.

He added: "It's fair to say that when you win one competition and you have another one starting fairly soon, it's a different to adjust because. But we are high in confidence."

The coach, however, added that it will be a tough challenge facing quality Pakistan pace bowling on a green looking pitch.

Sri Lanka's in-form batsman Marvan Atapattu was fighting fit for the game, the coach said, adding he needed a well deserved rest for the three-dayer after putting in a brilliant performance in the one-day series.

"He also had a lower back stiffness, but everything is alright after he went through physiotherapy."

Ahead of the opening Test, the Pakistan team had two sessions with a psychologist hired by the cricket board with the basic aim to improve the moral level.

Nasir Aziz, who has been teaching at the LUMS Institute, said the focus is to inculcate a sense of integrity having don the national colour.

General Pervez to be the Chief Guest: Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf will be the chief guest of the opening day's play.

Sri Lanka: Sanath Jayasuriya, Russel Arnold, Marvan Atapattu, Aravinda de Silva, Mahela Jayawardena, Arjuna Ranatunga, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Chaminda Vaas, Pramodya Wickremasinghe, Muttiah Muralitharan, Nuwan Zoysa. Upul Chandana (12th man).

Pakistan: Saeed Anwar, Wajahatullah Wasti, Aamir Sohail, Younis Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Moin Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Mohammad Akram/Abdur Razzaq, Saqlain Mushtaq. Faisal Iqbal (12th man).

Umpires: Athar Zaidi (Pakistan) and David Orchard (South Africa).

TV Umpire: Siddique Khan (Pakistan).

Match Referee: Brian Hastings (New Zealand).