LAHORE: Pakistan’s young speedster Naseem Shah asserted that the preparations for the upcoming two-match away Test series against Sri Lanka are heading in the right direction.

Naseem Shah, in an interview with a local news outlet, commented on the challenging conditions on offer in Sri Lanka but emphasized the need to be ready for the challenge as a professional cricketer.

“Our preparations are heading in the right direction for Sri Lanka. It is a challenge to play in the hot weather but as professionals we need to be ready for it,” said Naseem Shah on the sidelines of the specialised camp for the pacers.

Naseem Shah also commented on the importance of Test cricket and stressed that it helps a cricketer to improve in the limited-over formats as well.

“Test cricket tests you in all formats of the game and it shows your fitness and skills. Bowling long spells in Test cricket helps you in the limited-overs formats,” Naseem said.

“I try to enjoy and perform well in all three formats of the game. A player needs to do well in all three formats in order to be considered among the best players in the world,” he added.

Naseem Shah then responded to a query regarding his experience of playing in English conditions during his brief stint for Leicestershire in the T20 Blast and expressed his hope that it would help him in future.

“It was a good experience of playing in English conditions. I’m hopeful that it will help me in the future,” he said.

It is worth mentioning here that Naseem Shah was named among Pakistan’s 16-member squad for the two-match away series against Sri Lanka, scheduled to take place from July 16 to 28.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc & wk), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi and Shan Masood

Itinerary of Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka:

9 July – Pakistan land in Colombo
11 and 12 July – Warm-up game

16-20 July – First Test at Galle International Cricket Stadium
24-28 July – Second Test at Singhalese Sports Club, Colombo

READ: Schedule, venues for Pakistan Test tour of Sri Lanka unveiled