Asia Cup 2012: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka

Asia Cup 2012: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka - Cornered Tigers to fight the Lankan Lions 

 

Fresh from a disappointing loss at the hands of reigning World Champions India in the tournament opener, Sri Lankans are gearing up to play an unpredictable Pakistan side in their second match of the ongoing Asia Cup tournament at the Shere Bangla stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka on Thursday, March 15, 2012.

Whilst the Islanders will be facing a must-win situation to keep their hopes of making the tournament final alive, Pakistan will be looking forward to confirm a spot in the March 22 final by winning today's match.

Misbah-ul-Haq’s Men in Green survived a major scare in their tournament opener against Bangladesh, thanks to Umar Gul’s brilliant bowling in the death overs, and must be hoping for a polished performance against the resurgent Islanders.

Though Pakistan returned victors in Sunday’s nail-biter against Bangladesh with a 21-run margin, they have plenty to ponder upon, especially in the batting department. Their batting has been a major let down of late, specifically the middle-order, featuring likes of Younis Khan and the skipper himself.

In the match against Bangladesh, the opening duo of Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed provided the side with steady start of 135 runs but the fragile middle-order once again failed to capitalize on it as the Green Shirts were reeling at 198 for 7. Had it not been for some late hitting from the lower-order batsmen Umar Gul and wicketkeeper batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed, it might have been a different story.

Pakistani batsmen, specially the middle-order, will have to take the responsibility and play some sensible cricket, if they want to move an inch closer to the tournament finals.

Bowling will be once again their strength, with pacer Umar Gul and spinner Mohammad Hafeez complimenting each other very well with the new balls.

However, today's match will depend much upon Afridi and Ajmal, and how they contain the formidable Lankan batting line up with their aggressive spin bowling.

Coming to the Sri Lankan camp, they have a world-class top order, including the likes of Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan and wicketkeeper batsman Kumar Sangakkara. In-form Dinesh Chandimal and Lahiru Thirimanne compliment the experienced top order in the middle-overs.

Chandimal has been outstanding in the recently concluded Commonwealth Bank series in Australia and must be aiming to go one better when his side takes Pakistan in the second match of the quadrangular One-Day tournament.

Untimely injuries to Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera would hurt the balance in the side, but the presence of Farveez Maharoof and Nuwan Kulasekara provides the Islanders with depth in their batting.

Going by the first two games played at the Shere Bangla Stadium so far, one can anticipate a typical batting friendly sub-continent wicket on which the ball comes on to the bat nicely.

Teams(probable):

Sri Lanka: 1 Mahela Jayawardene(c), 2 T Dilshan, 3 Kumar Sangakkara(wk), 4 Dinesh Chandimal, 5 Lahiru Thirimanne, 6 Upul Tharanga, 7 Chamara Kapugedera, 8 Nuwan Kulasekera, 9   Maharoof, 10 Seekkuge Prasanna, 11 Suranga Lakmal/ Lasith Malinga.

Pakistan: 1 Mohammad Hafeez, 2 Nasir Jamshed, 3 Younis Khan, 4 Umar Akmal(wk), 5 Misbah-ul-haq(c), 6 Asad Shafiq, 7 Hammad Azam, 8 Shahid Afridi,  9 Umar Gul, 10 Saeed Ajmal, 11 Wahab Riaz/Aizaz Cheema