da betway： The two-Test series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka has been reduced to a one-Test play-off after the draw in Karachi
da 888casino： The Preview by George Binoy28-Feb-2009Match factsSunday, March 1 – Thursday March 5
Start time 10.00am (05:00GMT)
Mahela Jayawardene is aiming for his last series win as captain. Younis Khan is searching for his first © AFP
Big PictureThe two-Test series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka has been reduced to a one-Test play-off after the draw in Karachi. The contest over the next five days at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is of utmost importance for both teams and their captains. For Younis Khan, it offers an opportunity to begin his tenure as Pakistan captain with a series win and speed up the transition process after the removal of his predecessor Shoaib Malik. Another motivating force will be the fact that Pakistan have not won a home series for more than two years. Their last success was against West Indies in November 2006.For Sri Lanka, it is an opportunity to give their captain Mahela Jayawardene a successful farewell. Jayawardene had announced his decision to step down from captaincy at the end of the series and he has never led Sri Lanka to a Test-series win against Pakistan. It’s also a chance to score a rare series win in Pakistan – Sri Lanka’s last victory here was in 2000.However, in order for both teams to achieve their objectives, the pitch at the Gaddafi Stadium will have to be far more bowler-friendly than the one in Karachi. A total of 1553 was scored in the first Test for the loss of only 18 wickets, six of which fell on the final day. The series, and cricket in Pakistan, cannot afford another sleep-inducing draw.Form guide (most recent first)PakistanDDDLD
Sri Lanka DWWWL
Watch out for …Mahela Jayawardene: He was in poor form in the ODIs against India before coming to Pakistan but cashed in on the flat pitch in Karachi to score his fifth 200-plus score. Jayawardene will be keen to end his term as Sri Lanka captain with a substantial contribution. He averages nearly 68 as captain.Mohammad Talha: He’s 20 years old and is highly regarded by Wasim Akram. Talha didn’t play the first Test but is tipped to make his debut in Lahore. A thin fast bowler, he generates skiddy pace and has taken 34 wickets in six Quaid-e-Azam matches this season.Team newsIt’s unlikely that Pakistan will make any changes to their batting order after all their batsmen contributed towards their first-innings total of 765 in Karachi. However, they are likely to make one change to their bowling attack with Talha replacing Sohail Khan. Sohail made his debut in Karachi but had a horrid time, conceding 164 in 27 overs without taking a wicket. However, he had two catches dropped off him in the first innings and, given the flatness of that pitch, Pakistan might just give him another go.Pakistan: (likely) 1 Salman Butt, 2 Khurram Manzoor, 3 Younis Khan (capt), 4 Shoaib Malik, 5 Misbah-ul-Haq, 6 Faisal Iqbal, 7 Kamran Akmal (wk), 8 Yasir Arafat, 9 Umar Gul, 10 Danish Kaneria, 11 Mohammad Talha.Tharanga Paranativana was out for low scores in both innings on debut but he’s likely to retain is spot as Sri Lanka continue their search for a regular opener. They are without the option of Farveez Maharoof, who has returned home with a groin injury, and are likely to retain the same XI.Sri Lanka: (likely) 1 Malinda Warnapura, 2 Tharanga Paranativana, 3 Kumar Sangakkara, 4 Mahela Jayawardene (capt), 5 Thilan Samaraweera, 6 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 7 Prasanna Jayawardene (wk), 8 Chaminda Vaas, 10 Dilhara Fernando, 10 Muttiah Muralitharan, 11 Ajantha Mendis.Pitch & conditionsPakistan coach Intikhab Alam was scathing in his criticism of the pitch at the National Stadium in Karachi, saying that it was not the sort of surface they were expecting. However, he seemed more pleased with the pitch in Lahore which, according to him, was “firm and looked good”.Stats & Trivia Pakistan have played 39 Tests at the Gaddafi Stadium, winning 12 and losing six.Pakistan average 38.33 for each wicket in Lahore, while Sri Lanka average 33.Jayawardene has led Sri Lanka in 27 Tests out of which they have won 15 and lost seven. Kumar Sangakkara scored 244 runs in his only Test at the Gaddafi Stadium. Kamran Akmal has the best record – 462 runs at 92.40 – among current Pakistan batsmen at this venue.Quotes”I think I am just going to enjoy it the way I have enjoyed the last three years. It is going to be quite an honour for me to lead the side.”
.”We batted with guts and bowled well in the second innings [in Karachi] so if we field well and take chances then we can win.”
