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Cricket tips

New look Pakistan look good for first Test win

Mathews injured for Sri Lanka

Pakistan fans cheer on their team
Pakistan fans cheer on their teamCredit: Charlie Crowhurst

First Test
Starts 7am Thursday

Pakistan's Test team start life after Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan but they can see off another side struggling after the retirements of two batting behemoths.

Sri Lanka's fortunes have waned since Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara left the international scene and their hopes of an upset in the first Test in Abu Dhabi have been hit by an injury to former captain Angelo Mathews.

Pakistan are a formidable unit in their adopted UAE home and their Champions Trophy victory in June provided a huge boost for the players hoping to fill Misbah and Younis's boots.

Their pace attack looks full of menace while young batsman Babar Azam is a special talent and leg spinner Yasir Shah claimed 25 wickets in three Tests in the Caribbean earlier this year.

Recommendation
Pakistan to win first Test
3pts 8-13 general


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