Sri Lankans looking to improve batting in second one dayer

Sri Lanka will be looking to put up an improved batting performance when they take on the touring Pakistan team in the second one day international at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium today.

The Lankans drew first blood and took a psychological advantage in the five match series by clinching a 36 run victory in the opening fixture played at the same venue on Thursday.

Sri Lanka’s main concern will be their top order batsmen who failed to make any impact before eventually reaching a modest 232 for 9 from their 50 overs. Their success was achieved largely due to some splendid contributions from the late order batsmen and penetrative bowling from the seamers.

In fact Sri Lanka’s three prong pace attack will be hoping to produce a repeat performance after having created most of the damage in the opening encounter. Nuwan Kulasekera, Lasith Malinga and Thilan Thushara Mirando have been able to strike early with their destructive bowling where they shared six wickets between them.

The Sri Lanka team have been further strengthened with the inclusion of fast bowler Dilhara Fernando who is likely to make his appearance in the second game today.

The third one day will be worked off on August 3 at the same venue before the series moves to Colombo where the fourth and fifth matches will be played under lights at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The teams:

Pakistan (from): Younus Khan (captain), Imran Nazir, Nasir Jamshed, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbah-ul Haq, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Aamer, Rana Naved, Abdul Razzaq, Umar Akmal, Fawad Alam, Rao Iftikhar.

Sri Lanka (from): Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Kapugedera, Angelo Mathews, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Thilina Kandamby, Malinga Bandara, Thilan Thushara, Isuru Udana and Dilhara Fernando. (Friday, Dambulla)