Lankans looking to do better

Second one day game against Pakistan today: .

Ranjan ANADAPPA in UAE

Since the loss in the 2011 World Cup final to India, Sri Lankan cricket seems to have lost their way and are no doubt struggling for survival at the moment. This was amply demonstrated throughout the recent Test series against England, Australia and now against Pakistan who has clawed their way back to contention.

After losing the Test series 1-0 after a dismal batting performances in the first two Tests, the Lankans batting woes continued in the first ODI which the Islanders lost badly scoring only 131 runs before batting their prescribed 50 overs.

So far the general outcome of the tour has been disappointing not only in terms of results of the matches because it has proved one of the very few visits abroad that has not developed young players of promise for the future.

The second ODI against Pakistan in Dubai today will be a testing ground for the Sri Lankan outfit as their ODI reputation has been dented.

The eroding status of Sri Lanka’s ODI performances come in the wake of England in the UK and Australia at home. Sri Lanka’s ODI record at home and abroad has taken a dip and in that perspective the confrontation in the desert capital should be a test of strength for skipper Dilshan.

It seems as the Pakistanis are better equipped for the occasion with the two white cricket balls, once again in operation. Twenty five overs each bowled from either end with harder ball with the seam prominent has given the Pakistan pacemen Umar Gul, Aizaz Cheema, Junaid Khan and Abdur Razaaq plenty of movement. Besides the pacemen, the spinners too seemed to be very effective.

The Sri Lankan bowlers, particularly Lasith Malinga should have the advantage with his square arm action and his toes crushing yorkers to make early inroads into the Pakistan batting. To do that the Lankan batsmen should put up a substantial total to insert any kind of pressure to the Pakistan line up.

Teams

Pakistan- Misbah-Ul-Haq (Captain), Shahid Afridi, Mohammed Hafeez, Imran Farahat, Younus Khan, Umar Akmal, Shoib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed, Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Reheman, Umar Gul, Aizaz Cheema, Juniad Khan, Sohil Tanvir, Abdur Razzaq, Asad Shafiq.

Sri Lanka - T.M. Dilshan (Captain), Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardena, Anegelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Jeevan Mendis, Kosala Kulasekera, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Thisara Perera, Seekkuge Prasanna, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dilhara Fernando, Suraj Randiv.