New look Pakistan look good for first Test win
Mathews injured for Sri Lanka
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
Today's top sports betting stories
Follow us on Twitter@racingpostsport
Published on inCricket tips
Last updated
- 2024-25 Big Bash League outright winner prediction and cricket betting tips
- New Zealand vs England third Test prediction and cricket betting tips
- New Zealand vs England second Test prediction, betting tips and odds
- Australia vs India second Test predictions and cricket betting tips
- New Zealand vs England series predictions and first Test betting tips
- 2024-25 Big Bash League outright winner prediction and cricket betting tips
- New Zealand vs England third Test prediction and cricket betting tips
- New Zealand vs England second Test prediction, betting tips and odds
- Australia vs India second Test predictions and cricket betting tips
- New Zealand vs England series predictions and first Test betting tips