ISLAMABAD: Pakistan captain Babar Azam said on Saturday the team’s morale was “quite high” ahead of their second Sri Lanka Test, after they beat the hosts in the first match by recording the highest run chase at the venue.
Pakistan successfully chased a 342-run target by Sri Lanka in the first Test match earlier this week, courtesy of a stellar unbeaten 160-run knock by opening batter Abdullah Shafique. No other team has chased such a large total on the Galle Cricket Stadium's spin-conducive track before.
After dismissing Sri Lanka for 222 in the first innings, Pakistan ran into trouble with its batting order crumbling against an impressive Sri Lankan spin attack. Apart from Shafique, Azam scored a century in the first innings as well while Shaheen Shah Afridi, Muhammad Nawaz and Yasir Shah made valuable contributions with the ball to enable a Pakistan victory.
On Saturday, Pakistan finished preparations for the second and final Test match of the series, scheduled to take place at the same venue on Sunday.
“The morale is quite high in the camp as posting a good win gives you a lot of confidence,” Azam told the digital team of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
“We had a good session yesterday and are looking forward to the next Test. It was an intense competition with highs and lows so we are feeling good after winning it.”
The Pakistani captain said his side is chasing totals that people often think aren’t achievable.
“We are looking to make records when we take the field and it is our hard work and belief that is making it happen. We are united and players are stepping up and looking for opportunities to deliver for the team.”
