Sri Lanka’s latest Test captain, Kusal Mendis, has expressed strong confidence in his seasoned batting line-up as they prepare for the first Test in Rawalpindi against Pakistan. This will mark Mendis’s inaugural Test match at the helm, commencing on Monday.
Chatting with journalists before the series opener, Mendis assured that his team is well-equipped to tackle potentially challenging conditions, a departure from the traditionally spin-friendly pitches of Pakistan. He is particularly encouraged by the team’s robust performances in England last summer.
“We know they will be giving a little bit different wicket,” noted Mendis. “I think the batters have to manage our skills and preparation well. I know we have a very good batting line-up with some very senior players… Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, myself, and a couple of other guys. Everyone knows how to play on a green wicket. We played really well in England also, so I have no doubt in my batting line-up.”
Taking over from Dhananjaya in early October, Mendis’s leadership begins with the team tackling the challenges of an extensive tour. The Sri Lankan squad has already been in Pakistan for over a month, focused on white-ball cricket, which Mendis admits has been demanding.
“Honestly, compared to ODIs and T20s, Test cricket is very different,” Mendis commented. “I think everyone mostly likes to play Test cricket. Me as well. I’m very happy to captain in Test cricket. I think we’ve been staying in Pakistan for more than one month. It’s not easy, sometimes we stay in the hotel and come to practice and that’s it… I think it’s a little bit hard to stay one month in a hotel. But we do some stuff in the team room, games and individual things [to keep ourselves entertained].”
Despite the extended tour, Mendis is optimistic about his team’s preparation for Test cricket, emphasising their advancements. “Overall, we’re in a very good path, and when coming to Test cricket, we have to focus on our Test game. It’s not easy to play Tests away from home. I think Pakistan will give a very good wicket, and we have a plan in how [we want] to play.”
Mendis also commended his bowling unit, especially the seamers, for their outstanding recent performances. “We have a very balanced side, both with the bowling and batting unit. I think we’ve done really well in the past couple of tours in the bowling side, and same in one-day cricket – the fast-bowling attack is doing well,” he explained. “We have a very senior bowling unit, the guys have played so many first-class and international matches. Same in the batting, so everyone is ready for tomorrow’s game.”
The fast-bowling line-up, consisting of players such as Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara, along with an array of spinners led by Prabath Jayasuriya, presents a comprehensive attack strategy.
Reflecting on their time in Pakistan off the field, Mendis praised the Pakistan Cricket Board for their hospitality. “Security-wise, everybody is very happy. Food, we normally eat spicy and everything, so same like in Sri Lanka it’s in Pakistan. I think everyone has had a happy stay in Pakistan.”
Sri Lanka’s Test campaign in Pakistan is set to be a closely watched encounter, providing a good measure for Mendis’s leadership capabilities and the team’s adaptability.
