Lanka hoping for improved performance from bowlers

Chris DHAMBARAGE reporting from Pakistan

Sri Lanka will be looking for an improved performance from their bowlers when the second cricket Test match against Pakistan gets underway at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday.

The Sri Lankan bowlers had a tough opening test match where they conceded a record 765 runs to their opponents on a flat track at the National Stadium in Karachi. The pitch of course came in for severe criticism from the authorities after more than 1500 runs were scored during the five days.

Even then Mahela Jayawardena and his team certainly have happy memories at this venue where they bowled out Pakistan to their lowest total in a one day international to clinch the series 2-1 in January this year.

This match will also be of great significance for Jayawardena who will be leading the side for the last time as he has decided to step down from the captaincy after this series.

He has guided the team to some of the most fascinating victories in both forms of the game and will be looking to bid farewell in great style.

In fact Sri Lanka have made steady progress in the recent past in the longer version of the game although their track record in the limited overs game is not all that impressive. Sri Lanka have climbed into the fourth place in the International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings and will be hoping to further reduce their gap with India.

But more importantly the Sri Lankan team will be keen to give Mahela Jayawardena a great farewell by winning the test match and the series. They have of course delayed in naming their final eleven until the start of the match as there are several options open for them.

The main fact which is concerned with skipper Jayawardena is the kind of wicket that will be prepared for this crucial game. The wicket at this venue has traditionally favoured the fast bowlers and will have a close look at the conditions when they have their final work out today.

Sri Lanka have already got down the services of Nuwan Kulasekera who replaced the injured Farveez Maharoof after the all rounder suffered a groin injury during a practice session. They also have many other options with newcomer Suranga Lakmal and Thilina Thushara Mirando also in the line up.

If the conditions are in contrast to Karachi then they are likely to go in with just one spinner and a three prong pace attack giving young Suranga Lakmal his first test cap. So far Sri Lanka has played three Tests at Lahore and won one, lost one and drawn the other. The victory came in the final of the Asian Test Championship in 2002 against Pakistan.

Lahore, Friday