So, another series involving Pakistan finally arrives. Unfortunately, I feel that that this series is "overkill" to some extent - there has been an over-saturation of cricket between these two sides lately, not at all helped by the fact that the Test series only consists of two Tests.
Additionally, playing Sri Lanka on utterly docile tracks (which can be expected given this is Jayawardene's farewell series and simply the general nature of Sri Lankan pitches, especially the disgracefully placid SSC) will make for some genuinely mind-numbingly insipid cricket. Expect a run-fest and a few 500+ scores.
Taking all of this into consideration, I feel this series should be used to experiment with new tactics as a practice for the Australian tour to the UAE. Personally, I believe the following XI is the one which should be adopted for the first Test:
Azhar Ali - formerly an opener in Pakistan domestic cricket, he has played enough First-Class cricket as an opener to open internationally too. Personally, I believe Azhar deserves further opportunities as a Test batsman (given it would be unfair to drop him after his relatively brisk century to win the Test for us in Sharjah) but his strike-rate still remains an issue. Why not play him as a Test opener if his focal role is to remove the shine of the new-ball and wear out the opposition's pace bowler?
Ahmed Shehzad
Younis Khan
Umar Akmal - an attacking stroke-player is required at the #4 position. The jury is still out however on whether Umar can learn to play counter-attackingly yet sensibly, particularly against spin bowling. Guidance from our premier batsman in Younus Khan at #3 will help to calm his erratic personality. For me personally though, his glovework isn't reliable enough to be the Test wicket-keeper for Pakistan and besides, the strain of wicket-keeping for long periods would probably have an adverse effect upon his batting performances.
Misbah-Ul-Haq (C)
Asad Shafiq - he remains a huge dilemma of selection, but I believe he has what it takes to be a magnificent back-to-the-wall batsman in the mould of Inzamam-Ul-Haq and VVS Laxman. The belligerent 111 at Cape Town convinced me of this (not that I'm comparing him to either, mind you!).
Sarfraz Ahmed (WK)
Wahab Riaz - having him at #8 would bolster our evidently weak tail. He has enough pace to trouble a spin-proficient Sri Lankan batting line-up. Despite being a risky selection due to his inconsistency, his blistering pace would be great addition and if his deliveries are in the precise areas, he could be of great impact to remove the ever-staunch-against-Pakistan Sangakkara.
Saeed Ajmal
Mohammed Talha - similar to the inclusion of Wahab Riaz in the Test XI, apart from the batting perspective. Including Abdul Rehman in the line-up would place Pakistan in a somewhat Catch-22 situation, given the Sri Lankan wickets have a tendency to turn (that is, when they're not absolute pancakes!) but this being rather ineffectual considering the Sri Lankan batsmen are masters against spin bowling. Especially the primary nemesis of Pakistan - Sangakkara!
Junaid Khan - although struggling to swing/seam the ball noticeably, his impeccable Test record against the Sri Lankans (his 4 5-fers against them) means he is an automatic choice for selection. I really hope though that he is able to recapture his form and ability to swing the ball both ways that we witnessed during the December 2012 tour to India.
The omission of Mohammed Irfan is a really telling one, as without him our bowling attack appears mediocre and absent of those famous Pakistani traits - unpredictability, volatility and the capability to initiate a collapse against the run-of-tide!
Anything to prolong Pakistan's winless streak now nigh on 3 years 