KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) - New Pakistan captain Younis Khan believes his team must quickly adapt to a new-look lineup as it prepares to play its first test in 14 months against Sri Lanka from Saturday.

Pakistan will be without experienced Mohammad Yousuf - out of the team because of signing with the unauthorized Indian Cricket League - fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar (fitness problems) and Shahid Afridi, who was dropped from the first test squad.

The Pakistan Cricket Board installed Khan as captain, replacing Shoaib Malik, after last month’s one-day series against Sri Lanka which was decided when the tourists bowled out the hosts for just 75.

"It’s true that few of the seniors are not with us but these seniors won’t be with us forever," Khan said Friday.

"It’s not possible that continuously Shoaib Akhtar remains with us, (Abdul) Razzaq is not there, Afridi is not with us, but we have to deal with this and I am trying to deal with this situation."

Pakistan played its last test match against India in Dec. 2007 and since then Australia has postponed its scheduled tour to Pakistan due to security concerns while a two-test series against the West Indies also could not be organized.

India canceled its tour to Pakistan last month in the wake of Mumbai terrorist attacks that killed 164 people, blamed by India on Pakistani militants.

Sri Lanka filled the gap left by India and defeated Pakistan 2-1 in the one-day series last month and has returned for two tests.

Khan has finalized the 12 players for the first test, including uncapped opener Khurram Manzoor and fast bowlers Sohail Khan and Mohammad Talha. Allrounder Yasir Arafat and the experienced Danish Kaneria are most likely to be part of the final XI. Arafat took seven wickets in Pakistan’s last test against India while Kaneria is a Pakistan regular.

"Bowling is the main thing in test cricket," Khan said.

"We have Gul who is in top form then Sohail Khan has improved a lot while Talha is our future and a proper athlete."

Sri Lanka’s strong bowling lineup include veteran fast bowler Chaminda Vaas, world record wicket taker Muttiah Muralitharan and fast improving unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis.

"Especially the pair of Vaas and Murali could be dangerous for us," Khan said.

"They bowl in partnership like (Glenn) McGrath and (Shane) Warne used to do it for Australia so we have to be careful with this."

It will be the last test series for Mahela Jayawardene as Sri Lanka’s captain before he steps down to concentrate purely on his batting.

Although Jayawardene’s form has dipped in one-day cricket, the right-hander has scored 11 test centuries during his three years of captaincy.

"Jayawardene is struggling a bit but he is such a top player who could make a comeback, maybe with this match," Khan said.

Sri Lanka has done well in recent tests, beating India and Bangladesh, but Jayawardene said Pakistan should not be taken lightly.

"We have some good wins against top sides and we would love to continue that," Jayawardene said.

"I know Pakistan has not played test cricket for sometime but you still can’t underestimate their capabilities."

Jayawardene said it was not difficult for him to stand down as captain.

"It was always an honor and pride and I am looking forward to the last two games," he said.

"I don’t have any bitter feelings, I just felt to leave the leadership would allow someone else to take us to new level."

Teams:

Pakistan (from): Younis Khan (captain), Salman Butt, Khurram Manzoor, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Faisal Iqbal, Umar Gul, Danish Kaneria, Sohail Khan, Mohammad Talha, Yasir Arafat.

Sri Lanka (from): Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Dilhara Fernando, Prasanna Jayawardene, Chamara Kapugedera, Suranga Lakmal, Farveez Maharoof, Ajantha Mendis, Muttiah Muralitharan, Tharanga Paranavitana, Thilan Samaraweera, Kumar Sangakkara, Thilan Thushara, Chaminda Vaas, Malinda Warnapura.

Umpires: Simon Taufel, Australia, and Steve Davis, Australia.

TV Umpires: Zamir Haider, Pakistan.