Pakistan squad leaves for Sri Lanka today : Younis and his charges ready for challenge of men from Pearl Island: Daily Times

By Muhammad Ali

LAHORE: Led by Younis Khan, a 15-man Pakistan squad will leave for Sri Lanka on Saturday (today) to play a three-Test and five one-day international (ODI) series starting there from Monday. After having beaten Sri Lanka in the Twenty20 World Cup final, Pakistan will be under great pressure when they face the men from the Pearl Island. Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by eight wickets last Sunday at Lord’s to win their first World Cup title since defeating England in the final of the 50-over format in 1992 in Melbourne.

“Our countrymen want us to win every match – especially after success in the Twenty20 World Cup,” Younis Khan told reporters on Friday. “It can put pressure on us but we are ready for it. It is true that we have achieved a big victory, but a tour of Sri Lanka will be a big challenge for us,” he added. Younis said the celebrations became a matter of the past when the team embarked on the next tour. “So I hope players get into a different mood soon. We will have to leave our World Cup win behind and focus on what is a very tough assignment against Sri Lanka.” Pakistan have been bolstered by the return of middle-order batsman Mohammad Yousuf and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq. Both players have been welcomed back into international cricket after resigning from the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL). “Yousuf is a quality player and gives strength to our middle-order batting,” said Younis of the 34-year-old Yousuf who scored a world record of 1,788 runs in 2006 – the most in Test cricket in a calendar year.

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