LAHORE: Middle-order batter Umar Akmal has predicted the result of the upcoming two-match Test series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
While speaking to media in Lahore on Thursday, Akmal said that Pakistan will win the series despite tough conditions in Sri Lanka.
“The players who have been selected have been performing well consistently. They are also putting in the hard yards during the training camp. I think, despite the tough conditions, Pakistan will win the series,” Akmal said.
He also spoke about the possibility of playing in Pakistan team’s middle-order.
“It’s up to the fans to decide whether I’m needed in the middle-order of the team or not,” he said. “Iftikhar Ahmed is doing well and I hope he continue to play in the same manner.”
Akmal has played 16 Tests, 121 ODIs and 84 T20Is over the course of his cricket career for Pakistan since making his debut in 2009. However, he has been out of the national side since 2019.
Itinerary of Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka:
9 July – Pakistan land in Colombo
11 and 12 July – Warm-up game
16-20 July – First Test at Galle International Cricket Stadium
24-28 July – Second Test at Singhalese Sports Club, Colombo
Pakistan squad
Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc & wk), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi and Shan Masood
Player support personnel
Rehan-ul-Haq (team manager), Grant Bradburn (head coach), Andrew Puttick (batting coach), Morne Morkel (bowling coach), Aftab Khan (fielding coach), Abdul Rehman (assistant coach), Drikus Saaiman (strength and conditioning coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi (media and digital content manager), Lt Col Usman Anwari (Retd) (security manager), Talha Ejaz (analyst) and Malang Ali (masseur).
Sohail Imran Sohail Imran is a senior reporter for Geo News.- Umar Akmal