Younus wants more training

Misbah-ul-Haq claims the catch to dismiss Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara for 70

Pakistan captain Younus Khan has called for a specialist fielding coach after watching his players drop catches in the drawn first Test against Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene was dropped three times - first on 17 and later on 43 and 123 - during his knock of 240 in the first innings which helped Sri Lanka post a massive first innings total of 644 for seven declared.

Younus, however, responded with a marathon innings of 313 which ensured Pakistan finished the Test on top.

"We dropped Mahela on 40-odd in the first innings and then again after he scored 100," he said.

"Had we chased 500 in the first innings I think we could have got a better result. On such pitches you have to take the chances which come your way.

"We have to think about our fielding and we need some training in this aspect. Every team has fielding coaches so I think it would be good if we have one too.

"We had Jonty Rhodes in the past and I think we need one now too.”

The pitch at the National Stadium in Karachi had drawn severe criticism, but Younus said he had the players to tackle any sort of pitch.

"I have good players and the team is well balanced I am not a captain who is afraid of playing on any sort of pitch, whether a green pitch or one on which the ball breaks," he said.

South Africa supremo Jonty Rhodes was employed as Pakistan's fielding coach for a short stint in 2006

"Believe me, this very team can win the next World Cup. But they need support. I believe in myself and the players.”

Former Pakistan skippers Wasim Akram and Rameez Raja also called for better pitches.

"I think we will have to make better wickets in future to ensure that top teams return here for international cricket,” said Akram.

“I mean we were having a Test after 14 months and a pitch such as this was prepared.

"In the past when Imran (Khan), Javed (Miandad), Inzamam-ul-Haq and I captained the side, we were given the sort of wickets we wanted. I believe Younis should also get similar powers.”

Rameez believed portable pitches could be a better option.

“The pitch should be equally good for bowlers and batsmen, but unfortunately Pakistan hasn't produced such wickets for sometime now,” Rameez said.

"Perhaps the answer is drop-in pitches like the ones they use in Australia and New Zealand.”