Pakistan the more formidable side:

Lankans looking to reverse Asia Cup defeats

Elmo RODRIGOPULLE reporting

With the Twenty20 two match series shared, Sri Lanka and Pakistan will lock horns in the first of five one day, day night internationals beginning at the Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium today at 2.30p.m.

Sri Lanka’s previous bash in the one-day format in the Asia Cup in Bangladesh ended in disaster with the team failing to enter the finals being also stuffed by Pakistan.

The Lankans started the Twenty20 in ruthless fashion, but squandered it all by resting their ruthless skipper thus gifting the second game. So one cannot expect the Lankans to be ruthless again.

So in this series, while Sri Lanka will be looking to avenge those defeats, Pakistan, now that they have raised their game by squaring the Twent20 series, will be determined to build on the success in Bangladesh where they won the Asia Cup.

According to reports the curator has been hard at work on the wicket and indications are that the wicket will play even with help to bowlers as well as batsmen.

Advantage

The side winning the toss and batting will be at an advantage, because there is the possibility of the dew setting in and making it difficult for bowlers to grip the wet ball.

Fifty over cricket is a different ball game to the Twenty20 bash. Here the bowlers have more overs to bowl and the batsmen more overs to face. The team having the players best suited for this style of game should call the shots.

With their success gained in Bangladesh, the Pakistanis go out favourites and if they play true to form can continue to dominate, although the Lankans will have the home advantage.

The Pakistanis will have their regular skipper Misbah-ul-Haq to show them how. From the time he was appointed, he has shown good leadership qualities and has been chiefly instrumental in making Pakistan a team to be reckoned with.

Strengthened

The visitors will be further strengthened with the inclusion of former Pakistan captain and punishing batsman Younis Khan. Khan has the ideal temperament and should enjoy himself with a bag full of runs.

Mohamme Hafeez who did not have a good run as captain in the Twnty20 will now be free to put his wide array f strokes on display and give his team a sound start to build on.

Big hitting Sahid Afridi who was allowed into form in the second Twenty20 and who blazed away to a match winning half century and won the man-of-the-match award, if allowed to prosper could devastate the Lankan bowling. Umar Akmal is another batting maestro to watch.

The bowling will be spearheaded by Sohail Tanvir and Umar Gul, with the tantalizing and mesmerizing spin of Saeed Ajmal and Mohamed Hafeez for support.

Praying

Sri Lanka will be praying for skipper Mahela Jayawardene, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Upul Tharanga and Angelo Mathews to pile on the runs.

In bowling Nuwan Kulasekera, Lasith Malinga and Angelo Mathews will have to shock the early Pakistani batsmen into submission for Rangana Herath if he plays and Sachitra Senanayake to continue the damage.

Skipper Jayawardene is a great admirer of Thisara Perera. He will be relying heavily on him to perform the all rounder’s role as a match winner. If Perera is to live up to the expectations that Jayawardena has in him, he must be given the all important continuity to be consistent.

Over then to a blockbuster of a five match one day international series and may the captain of the better side hold aloft the trophy at the conclusion of the series. Pallekelle Stadium, Wednesday.